MOST  REVEREND   DOCTOR  JAMES  BUTLIU 

CATECHISM, 

REVISED,  ENLARGED,  IMPROVED,  AND  RECOMMENDED 
BY  THE   FOUR 

R.  C.  ARCHBISHOPS  OF  IRELAND, 

AS   A 

GENERAL  CATECHISM. 

TO    WHICH    JS    ADDF.D 

THE  SCRIPTURAL  CATECHISM, 

BY  THE  Rt.  REV.  DR.  MfLNER. 


Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  to' me.  and  forbid  them  not,  for  ol  such 
is  the  kingdom  of  God. — Mark  x.  14. 

This  is  eternal  life  :  That  they  know  thee  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus 
ChriBt,  whom  thou  hast  sent  .-—John  xvii.  3. 


NEW -YORK: 

PUBLISHED  BY  D.  &  J.  SADLiER  &  Co 
164   WILLIAM   STREET, 

BO  8  TON:— 12  8    FEDERAL.  STREET 

MONTREAL,  C.   E  : 

Cor.  of  St.  Francis  Xavier  and  Notre  Dame  Streets 


MOST   R £ V E II END  DOCTOR  JAMES   BUTLER' 

CATECHISM, 

REVISED,  ENLARGED,  IMPROVED,  AND  RECOMMENDED 

BY  THE   FOUR 

R.  C.  ARCHBISHOPS  OF  IRELAND, 

AS    A 

GENERAL  CATECHISM. 

TO    WHICH   IS    ADDED 

THE  SCRIPTURAL  CATECHISM, 

BY  THE  Rt.  REV.  DR.  MILNE  R. 


Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  to  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such 
is  the  kingdom  of  God.—rMdrk  x.  14. 

This  i?  eternal  life  :  That  they  know  thee  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus 
Christ,  whom  thou  hast  tent — John  xvii.  3. 


N E W -YORK: 

PUBLISHED  BY  D.  &  J.  SADLIER  &  Co. 
164   WILLIAM   STREET, 

B  0  B  T-0  N  :— 1  2  S    FEDERAL    STREET 
MONTREAL,  C.   E  : 

Cor.  of  St.  Francis  Xavier  and  Notre  Dame  Streets. 


in  the  name  vf  \he  Father,  and  of  tlie  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

Our  Father,  *vho  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  th} 
name  :  thy  kingdom  come  ;  thy  will  be  done  on  earth. 
as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread ; 
and  forgive  us  our  trespa&ses,  as  we  forgive  those  who 
trespass  against  us;  and  lead  us  not  into  temptation, 
but  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 

THE    ANGELIC    SALUTATION. 

Hail  Mary,  full  of  grace,  the  I  *orti  is  with  thee ; 
blessed  art  thou  amongst  women,  and  ulessed  is  the 
fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus — Holy  Mary,  motner  of  God, 
pray  for  us  sinners,  now  and  at  the  houi  01  our  death. 
Amen. 

THE  APOSTLES*  CREED. 

I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Creator  0/ 
heaven  and  earth ;  and  in  Jesus  Christ  his  omy  Son, 
our  Lord;  who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghosi, 
born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate, 
was  crucified,  dead,  and  buried ;  he  descended  into  hell ; 
the  third  day  he  arose  again  from  the  dead,  he  ascended 
into  heaven,  and  sitteth  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father  Almighty ;  from  thence  he  will  come  to  judg* 


the  living  and  the  dead.  I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost ; 
the  Holy  Catholic  church ;  the  communion  of  Saints ; 
the  forgiveness  of  sins;  the  resurrection  of  the  body; 
and  life  everlasting — Amen. 

THE  CONFITEOR,  OR  GENERAL  CONFESSION. 

I  confess  to  Almighty  God,  to  the  blessed  Mary 
ever  Virgin,  to  blessed  Michael  the  Archangel,  to 
blessed  John  the  Baptist,  to  the  holy  Apostles  Peter 
and  Paul,  and  to  all  the  Saints,  that  I  have  sinned 
exceedingly,  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  through  my 
faulty  through  my  fault,  through  my  most  grievous  fault : 
therefore  I  beseech  blessed  Mary  ever  Virgin,  blessed 
Michael  the  Archangel,  blessed  John  the  Baptist,  the 
holy  Apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  and  all  the  Saints,  to 
pray  to  the  Lord  our  God  for  me. 

The  Almighty  God  have  mercy  on  me,  and  forgive 
me  my  sins,  and  bring  me  to  everlasting  life.     Amen. 

THE  ANGELUS  DOMINI. 

1.  The  Angel  of  the  Lord  declared  unto  Mary;  and 
she  conceived  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Hail  Mary,  full  of  grace ;  the  Lord  is  with  thee ; 
blessed  art  thou  amongst  women  ;  and  blessed  is  the 
fruit  of  thy  womb,  Jesus.  Holy  Mary,  Mother  of  God, 
pray  for  us  sinners,  now,  and  at  the  hour  of  our  death. 
Amen. 

2.  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord;  be  it  done 
unto  me  according  to  thy  word.  Hail  Mary  and  Holy 
Mary. 

3.  And  the  Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  among 
ns.     Hail  Mary  and  Holy  Mary. 

V.  Pray  for  us,  O  holy  Mother  of  God. 
R.  That  we  may  be  made  worthy  of  the  promises  of 
Christ. 


Let  us  Pray. 

Pour  forth,  we  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  thy  grace  into 
our  hearts  ;  that  we,  to  whom  the  incarnation  of  Christ, 
thy  Son,  was  made  known  by  the  message  of  an  angel, 
may,  by  his  Passion  and  Cross,  be  brought  to  the  glory 
of  his  resurrection,  through  the  same  Christ  our  Lord, 
Amen. 

May  the  divine  assistance  always  remain  with  us ; 
and  may  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed,  through  the 
mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace.     Amen. 


A  PRAYER  BEFORE  MEAT. 


Bless  us,  O  Lord !  and  these  thy  gifts,  which  of  thy 
bounty  we  are  to  receive,  through  Christ  our  Lord 
Amen. 


A  PRAYER  AFTER  JIEAT. 


We  give  thee  thanks,  Almighty  God,  for  all  thy 
benefits,  who  livest  and  reignest  for  ever.     Amen. 

May  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed,  through  the 
mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace.     Amen. 


ACTS  OF  CONTRITION,  FAITH,  HOPE,  AND  CHARITY 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

A  PRAYER  BEFORE  THE  ACTS. 

Let  us  Pray. 
O  Almighty  and  Eternal  God,  grant  unto  us  an 
increase  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity ;  and  that  we  may 
obtain  what  thou  hast  promised,  make  us  to  love  and 
practise  what  thou  commandest,  through  Jesus  Chris! 
our  Lord.     Amen. 

AN  ACT  OF  CONTRITION. 

O  my  God !  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  having  offended 
thee,  and  I  detest  my  sins  most  sincerely,  not  only 
because  by  them  I  have  lost  all  right  to  heaven,  and 
have  deserved  the  everlasting  punishment  of  hell,  bui 
especially  because  they  displease  thee,  my  God,  who 
art  so  deserving  of  all  my  love,  for  thy  infinite  goodness 
and  most  amiable  perfections ;  and  I  firmly  purpose,  by 
thy  holy  grace,  never  more  to  ofTend  thee. 

AN  ACT  OF  FAITH. 

O  my  God !  I  firmly  believe  that  thou  art  one  only 
God,  the  Creator  and  Sovereign  Lord  of  Heaven  and 
Earth,  infinitely  great,  and  infinitely  good;  I  firmly 
believe,  that  in  thee,  one  only  God,  there  are  three 
Divine  Persons,  really  distinct,  and  equal  In  all  things, 
the  Father,  and  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  I  firmly 
believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  God  the  Son,  who  became 
Man ;  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost  and  was  born 


of  the  Virgin  Mary;  suffered  and  died  on  a  cross  fb 
redeem  and  save  us ;  arose  the  third  day  from  the  dead, 
and  ascended  into  heaven  ;  will  come  at  the  end  of  the 
world  to  judge  mankind,  and  will  reward  the  good 
with  eternal  happiness,  and  condemn  the  wicked  to  the 
everlasting  pains  of  hell.  I  believe  these  and  all  other 
articles  which  the  holy  Roman  Catholic  Church  pro- 
poses to  our  belief,  because  thou,  my  God,  the  infallible 
Truth,  hast  revealed  them ;  and  thou  hast  commanded 
us  to  hear  (lie  Church  which  is  the  pillar  and  the  ground 
of  Truth.  In  this  faith  I  am  firmly  resolved,  by  thy 
holy  grace,  to  live  and  die.  Malt,  xviii.  17,  and 
1  Tim.  iii.  15. 

AN  ACT  OF  IIOrE. 

O  my  God!  who  hast  graciously  promised  every 
blessing,  even  heaven  itself,  through  Jesus  Christ,  to 
those  who  keep  thy  commandments;  relying  on  thy 
infinite  power,  goodness,  and  mercy,  and  on  thy  sacred 
promises,  to  which  thou  art  always  faithful,  I  confi- 
dently hope  to  obtain  pardon  of  all  my  sins,  grace  to 
serve  thee  faithfully  in  this  life,  by  doing  the  good 
works  thou  hast  commanded,  and  which,  with  thy 
assistance,  I  will  perform;  and  eternal  happiness  in  the 
next,  through  my  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

AX  ACT  OF  CIIAKITY. 

Or  of  the  Love  of  God  and  of  our  Neighbours. 
t  my  God !  I  love  thee  with  my  whole  heart  and 
soul,  and  above  all  things:  because  thou  art  infinitely 
good  and  perfect,  and  most  worthy  of  all  my  love ;  and 
for  thy  sake,  I  love  my  neighbour  as  myself.  Merci- 
fully grant,  O  my  God!  that  having  loved  thee  on  earth, 
may  love  and  enjoy  thee  for  ever  in  heaven.    Amen. 

PRAYER  TO   BE  SAID  BEFORE  31  ASS. 
Let  us  Pray. 
O  merciful  Father,  who  didst  so  love  thp  world,  as 


8 

to  give  up  for  our  redemption  thy  beloved  Son ;  who, 
in  obedience  to  thee,  and  for  us  sinners,  humbled  him- 
self even  unto  the  death  of  the  Cross ;  and  continues  to 
offer  himself  daily,  by  the  ministry  of  his  priests,  for  the 
living  and  the  dead ;  we  humbly  beseech  thee,  that, 
penetrated  with  a  lively  faith,  we  may  always  assist 
with  the  utmost  devotion  and  reverence,  at  the  oblation 
of  his  most  precious  body  and  blood,  which  is  made  at 
Mass ;  and  thereby  be  made  partakers  of  the  Sacrifice, 
which  he  consummated  on  Calvary. 

In  union  with  thy  holy  church  and  its  minister,  and 
invoking  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of  God,  and 
all  the  Angels  and  Saints,  we  now  offer  the  adorable 
Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  to  thy  honour  and  glory,  to 
acknowledge  thy  infinite  perfections,  thy  supreme  do- 
minion over  all  thy  creatures,  our  entire  subjection  to 
thee,  and  total  dependence  on  thy  gracious  Providence, 
and  in  thanksgiving  for  all  thy  benefits  and  for  the 
remission  of  our  sins. 

We  offer  it  for  the  propagation  of  the  Catholic  faith, 
for  our  most  holy  Father  the  Pope,  for  our  Archbishop, 
(or  Bishop,)  and  for  all  the  Pastors  and  Clergy  of  thy 
Holy  Church,  that  they  may  direct  the  faithful  in  the 
way  of  salvation!  for  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  for  the  Governor  of  this  State,  and  for  all  who 
are  in  high  stations — that  we  may  lead  a  quiet  and  holy 
life ;  for  peace  and  good- will  among  all  states  and 
people ;  for  the  necessities  of  mankind,  and  particu- 
larly for  the  congregation  here  present,  to  obtain  all 
blessings  we  stand  in  need  of  in  this  life,  everlasting 
happiness  in  the  next,  and  eternal  rest  to  the  faithful 
departed. 

And  as  Jesus  Christ  so  ordained  when  he  instituted 
at  his  last  supper  this  wonderful  mystery  of  his  power, 
wisdom,  and  goodness ;  we  offer  the  Mass  in  grateful 
remembrance  of  all  he  has  done  and  suffered  for  the 


love  of  us,  making  special  commemoration  of  his  bitter 
Passion  and  Death,  and  of  his  glorious  Resurrection 
and  Ascension  into  heaven — Vouchsafe,  O  Almighty 
and  Eternal  God!  (for  to  thee  alone  so  great  a  sacri- 
fice is  due)  graciously  to  accept  it,  for  these  and  all 
other  purposes,  agreeable  to  thy  holy  will.  And  to 
render  it  the  more  pleasing,  we  offer  it  to  thee  through 
the  same  Jesus  Christ,  thy  beloved  Son,  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  our  High  Priest  and  victim :  and  in  the  name 
of  the  most  Holy  Trinity,  the  Father,  and  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost — to  whom  be  honour,  praise,  and 
glory,  for  ever  and  ever — Amen. 


PRAYER  BEFORE  CATECHISM. 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 

Ghost.     Amen.     Blessed  be  the  Holy  and  undivided  Trinity, 

now  and  for  ever,  Amen. 

Come,  0  Holy  Spirit!  fill  the  hearts  of  thy  faithful,  and  kin- 
dle in  them  the  fire  of  thy  love. 

V.  Send  forth  thy  Spirit  and  they  will  be  created. — R.  And 
thou  wilt  renew  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Let  us  Pray. 

0  God,  who  by  the  light  of  trre  Holy  Ghost  didst  instruct  the 
hearts  of  the  faithful,  give  us,  by  this  same  Holy  Spirit,  a  love 
and  relish  of  what  is  right  and  just,  and  a  constant  enjoyment 
of  his  comforts,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  who,  with  thee, 
in  the  unity  of  the  same  Holy  Ghost,  liveth  and  reigneth  one 
God  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

AFTER  CATECHISM. 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Son  of  the  Living  God,  we  beseech  thee 
through  thy  holy  cross  and  passion,  through  thy  death  and  glo- 
rious resurrection,  be  gracious  and  merciful  unto  us  and  all 
linners.  0  Jesus  !  hear  us  ;  0  Jesus  !  save  us  ;  0  Jesus  !  have 
mercy  upon  us,  and  strengthen  our  faith,  increase  our  hope. 
and  make  us  perfect  in  the  love  of  God,  and  of  our  neighbour  , 
that  in  this  life  we  may  serve  thee  alone  in  true  justice,  and  ioi 
ever  extol  and  praise  thee  with  all  the  saints  in  heaven. 


LESSON  I. 

On  God,  and  the  Creation  of  the  world. 

Question.  Who  made  the  world  ? 

Answer.  GOD. 

Q.  Who  is  God? 

A.  The  Creator  and  sovereign  Lord  of  Heaven  and 
earth,  and  of  all  things. 

Q.  How  many  Gods  are  there  ? 

A.  There  is  but  one  God,  who  will  reward  the  good 
and  punish  the  wicked. 

Q.  Where  is  God  \ 

A.  God  is  everywhere,  but  he  is  said  principally  to 
be  in  Heaven,  where  he  manifests  himself  to  the  blessed 

Q.  What  is  Heaven  ? 

A.  The  .kingdom  of  God's  glory,  and  of  his  angels 
and  saints. 

Q.  If  God  be  everywhere,  why  do  we  not  see  him  ? 

A.  Because  God  is  a  pure  spirit,  having  no  body, 
and  therefore  cannot  be  seen  by  corporal  eyes. 

Q.  Does  God  see  us? 

A.  He  does,  and  continually  watches  over  us. 

Q    Does  God  know  all  things  ? 

A.  Yes ;  all  things  are  naked  and  open  to  his  cyes> 
even  our  most  secret  thoughts  and  actions.     Heb.  iv.  13. 

Q.  Will  God  judge  our  most  secret  thoughts  and 
actions  ? 

A.  Yes ;  and  every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak, 
they  shall  render  an  account  for  it,  in  the  day  of  judg* 
ment.     Matt.  xii.  36. 

Q.  Had  God  a  beginning ? 

A.  No ;  he  always  was,  and  always  will  be. 

Q.  Can  God  do  all  things  ? 

A.  Yes ;  with  God  all  tilings  are  possible ;  and  noth- 
ing can  be  difficult  to  him.     Malt.  xix.  20. 

Q.  How  did  God  make  the  world  ? 


11 

A.  Of  nothing,  and  by  his  word  only ;  that  is,  dy  a 
gingle  act  of  his  all-powerful  will. 

Q.   Why  did  God  make  the  world? 

A.  For  his  own  glory,  to  show  his  power  anc  \vi* 
dom;  and  for  man's  use  and  benefit. 

LESSON  II. 

On  Many  and  the  End  of  his  Creation. 

Q.   What  is  man  ? 

A.  One  of  God's  creatures,  composed  of  a  body  am) 
bouI,  and  made  to  God's  likeness. 

Q.  In  what  is  man  made  to  God's  likeness  ? 

A.  In  his  soul. 

Q.  In  what  is  man's  soul  like  to  God  ? 

A.  In  being  a  spirit  and  immortal,  and  in  being  ca 
pable  of  knowing  and  loving  God. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean,  when  you  say,  the  soul  is 
immortal. 

A.  I  mean  that  it  can  never  die. 

Q.  Why  did  God  give  us  souls  capable  of  knowing 
and  loving  him  ? 

A.  That  we  might  fulfil  the  end  for  which  he  made  us. 

Q.  For  what  end  did  God  make  us? 

A.  To  know  and  serve  him  here  on  earth,  and  after, 
to  see  and  enjoy  him  for  ever  in  Heaven. 

Q.  How  can  we  know  God  on  earth? 

A.   By  learning  the  truths  he  has  taught. 

Q.   Where  shall  we  find  the  truths  God  has  taught? 

A.  They  are  chiefly  contained  in  the  Apostles'  creed. 

LESSON  III. 

On  the  Apostles'  Creed. 

Q.  What  does  the  Apostles'  creed  contain  ? 
A.  The  principal  mysteries  of  religion,  and   other 
accessary  articles. 


12 

Q.  Which  are  the  principal  mysteries  of  religion. 

A.  The  Unity  and  Trinity  of  God,  the  incarnation, 
death,  and  resurrection  of  our  Saviour. 

Q.  Why  are  they  called  principal  mysteries  ? 

A.  Because  most  necessary  to  be  explicitly  believed; 
and  because  all  other  mysteries  of  religion  are  ground- 
ed on  them.     John  xvii.  3. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  mysteries  of  religion. 

A.  Revealed  truths  which  we  do  not  comprehend. 

Q.  Does  God  require  of  us  to  believe  mysteries  of 
religion  ? 

A.  Yes ;  God  requires  of  us  to  pay  the  homage  of 
our  understanding,  and  to  submit  our  will  to  him  in  ali 
things.     St.  Paul.  Rom.  x.  10. 

Q.  How  do  we  pay  the  homage  of  our  understand- 
ing to  God  ? 

A.  By  firmly  believing  on  God's  unerring  word, 
whatever  he  has  revealed,  be  it  ever  so  incomprehensible 
to  us. 

Q.  How  do  we  submit  our  will  to  God  ? 

A.  By  cheerfully  doing,  in  obedience  to  God,  all 
things  whatsoever  he  commands. 

Q.  Wiiat  means  the  Unity  of  God  ? 

A.  That  there  is  but  one  God ;  and  there  cannot  be 
more  Gods  than  one.     Eph.  iv.  6. 

Q.  Why  cannot  there  be  more  Gods  than  one  ? 

A.  Because  God,  being  supreme  and  sovereign  Lord, 
cannot  have  an  equal. 

LESSON  IV. 

On  the  Trinity,  and  Incarnation. 

Q.  How  many  persons  are  there  in  God  ? 
A.  Three  divine  persons,  really  distinct  and  equal  in 
all  things.     1  St.  John,  v.  7. 

Q.  How  do  you  call  the  three  divine  persons? 
A.  The  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 


13 

Q.  Is  the  Father  God  ? 

A.  Yes ;  the  Father  is  God.  and  the  first  person  o£ 
the  blessed  Trinity. 

Q.  Is  the  Son  God  ? 

A.  Yes ;  the  Son  is  God,  and  the  second  person  of 
the  blessed  Trinity.    • 

Q.  Is  the  Holy  Ghost  God  ? 

A.  Yes ;  the  Holy  Ghost  is  God,  and  the  third  per 
son  of  the  blessed  Trinity. 

Q.  What  means  the  blessed  Trinity? 

A.  One  God  in  three  divine  persons.     SL  John,  v.  7. 

Q.  Are  the  three  divine  persons,  three  Gods  ? 

A.  No ;  they  are  one  only  God,  having  but  one  and 
the  same  divine  nature ;  and  they  are  from  eternity, 
i      Q.  Is  any  one  of  the  three  divine  persons  more  pow- 
erful or  more  wise  than  the  other  ? 

A.  No  ;  as  the  three  divine  persons  are  all  but  one 
and  the  same  God,  they  must  be  alike  in  all  divine  per.- 
fections ;  therefore  one  cannot  be  more  powerful  or 
more  wise  than  the  other. 

Q.  Did  one  of  the  three  divine  persons  become  man  ? 

A.  Yes ;  God  the  Son,  the  second  divine  person,  be- 
came man.     St.  John,  i.  14. 

Q.  How  did  God  the  Son  become  man  ? 

A.  He  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  was 
born  of  the  Virgin  Mary.     Ap.  Cr. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  saying,  that  the  Son  of 
God  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 

A.  I  mean  that  he  assumed  human  nature,  that  is, 
a  body  and  soul  like  ours,  by  the  power  or  operation 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Q.  Where  did  God  the  Son  take  a  body  and  soul 
like  ours  ? 

A.  In  the  chaste  womb  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  lie 
was  born  man  of  her. 

Q.  How  do  you  call  God  the  Son,  made  man  ? 


14 

A.  Jesus  Christ. 

Q.  What  fs  the  meaning  of  these  words,  Jesus 
C  krist  ? 

A.  Jesus  signifies  Saviour,  and  Christ  signifies  the 
Anointed  ;  and  St.  Paul  says  that,  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
every  knee  should  bow.     Phil.  ii.  10. 

Q.  Did  Jesus  Christ  remain  God,  when  he  became 
man  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  he  was  always  God. 

Q.  Was  Jesus  Christ  always  man  ? 

A.  Only  from  the  time  of  his  conception,  or  incar- 
nation. 

Q.  What  means  the  incarnation  ? 

A.  That  God  the  Son,  the  second  person  of  the  bless- 
ed Trinity,  was  made  man.     St.  John,  i.  14.  , 

Q.  What  do  you  believe  Jesus  Christ  to  be? 

A.  True  God  and  true  man. 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  become  man? 

A.  To  redeem  and  save  us. 

Q.  How  did  Christ  redeem  and  save  us  ? 

A.  By  his  sufferings  and  death  on  the  cross. 

Q.  Was  it  by  his  passion  and  death  Christ  also  satis 
fied  the  justice  of  God  for  our  sins  ? 

A.  Yes ;  and  delivered  us  from  hell,  and  from  the 
power  of  the  devil.     Col.  ii.  14. 

LESSON  V. 

On  our  First  Parents,  fyc. 

Q.  How  came  we  to  be  in  the  power  of  the  devil  f 

A.  By  the  disobedience  of  our  first  parents,  in  eat- 
ing the  forbidden  fruit.     Gen.  ii.  and  iii. 

Q.  Who  were  our  first  parents  ? 

A.  Adam  and  Eve,  the  first  man  and  woman. 

Q.  Why  did  God  command  our  first  parents  not  to 
oat  the  forbidden  fruit? 


15 

A.  To  make  them  sensible  of  his  dominion  over  them, 
and  of  their  dependence  on  him,  and  to  try  their  obe- 
dience. 

Q.  Who  tempted  our  first  parents  to  eat  the  forbid- 
den fruit  I 

A.  The  Devil,  envying  their  happy  state.     Gen.  iii. 

Q.  Whom  do  you  mean  by  the  Devil  ? 

A.  One  of  the  rebellious  or  fallen  angels,  whom  God 
cast  out  of  heaven. 

Q.   What  do  you  mean  by  Angels  ? 

A.  Pure  spirits,  that  is,  without  a  body,  created  to 
adore  and  enjoy  God  in  heaven. 

Q.  Were  the  Angels  created  for  any  other  purpose  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  to  assist  before  the  throne  of  God,  and  to 
minister  unto  him;  and  they  have  been  often  sent  as 
messengers  from  God  to  man:  and  are  also  appointed 
our  guardians.  Apoc.  vii.  9.  Heb.  i.  7.  Matt.  iv.  6. 
xviii.  10. 

Q.  Why  were  any  Angels  cast  out  of  heaven  ? 

A.  Because  through  pride  they  rebelled  against  God. 
Isaias,  xiv. 

Q.  Did  God  punish  in  any  other  way  the  Angels 
who  rebelled  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  he  condemned  them  to  Hell,  a  place  of 
eternal  torments. 

Q.  Why  did  God  make  Hell? 

A.  To  punish  the  Devils  or  bad  Angels. 

Q.  Are  any  other  condemned  to  Hell,  beside  the 
Devils  or  bad  Angels  ? 

A.  Yes ;  all  who  die  enemies  to  God ;  that  is,  all 
who  die  in  the  state  of  mortal  sin. 

Q.  Can  any  one  come  out  of  Hell? 

A.  No  ;  out  of  Hell  there  is  no  redemption. 

Q.  How  did  God  reward  the  Angels  who  remained 
faithful  ? 

A  He  confirmed  them  for  ever  in  glory. 


16 

LESSON  VI. 

On  original  Sin,  <$fc. 

Q.  How  did  God  punish  the  disobedience  oi  oui 
first  parents? 

A.  They  were  stript  of  original  justice  and  innocence* 
driven  out  of  paradise;  and  condemned  to  death  with 
their  posterity. 

Q.  Did  God  inflict  any  other  punishments  on  our 
first  parents? 

A.  Yes ;  he  deprived  them  of  all  right  to  Heaven, 
and  of  several  other  blessings  intended  for  them. 

Q.  What  were  the  chief  blessings  intended  for  our 
first  parents  ? 

A.  A  constant  state  of  happiness,  if  they  remained 
faithful  to  God. 

Q.  Were  we  condemned  to  the  same  punishments 
with  our  first  parents  ? 

A.  Yes ;  we  were  all  made  partakers  of  their  sin  and 
punishments:  as  we  would  be  all  sharers  in  their  inno- 
cence and  happiness,  if  they  had  been  obedient  to  God. 
Rom.  v.  12. 

Q.  How  do  you  call  the  sin  of  our  first  parents  1 

A.  Original  sin. 

Q.  What  is  original  sin? 

A.  The  sin  we  inherit  from  our  first  parents ;  and  in 
which  we  were  conceived  and  born  children  of  wrath. 
Ephes.  ii.  3. 

Q»  Why  is  it  called  original  sin  ? 

A,  Because  it  is  transmitted  to  us  from  our  first 
parents,  and  we  came  into  the  world  infected  with  it ; 
and  because  it  is  the  origin  and  source  of  avary  evil 
and  misery  to  us.     Rom.  v.  12. 

Q.  What  other  particular  effects  follow  from  the  sin 
of  our  first  parents  ? 


17 

A.  It  darkened  our  understanding  ;  weakened  our 
will;  and  left  in  us  a  strong  inclination  to  evil. 

Q.  What  is  the  reason  that  darkness  in  our  under- 
standing, weakness  in  our  will,  and  a  propensity  to  evil, 
still  remain,  with  many  other  temporal  punishments, 
after  original  sin  is  forgiven  I 

A.  To  serve  as  an  occasion  of  merit  to  us ;  by  re- 
sisting our  corrupt  inclinations,  and  by  bearing  patiently 
the  suffering  of  this  life. 

LESSON  VII. 

On  Jesus  Christ,  <SfC. 

Q.  Did  Christ  become  man  immediately  after  the 
transgression  of  our  first  parents  ? 

A.  No  ;  though  he  was  immediately  promised  to  them 
as  a  redeemer.     Gen.  hi.  15. 

Q.  How  many  years  after  the  fall  of  our  first  parents 
did  Christ  become  man  ? 

A.  About  four  thousand  years. 

Q.  How  could  they  be  saved,  who  lived  before  Christ 
became  man  ? 

A.  By  the  belief  of  a  redeemer  to  come;  and  by 
keeping  the  commandments  of  God.     1  Cor.  x.  4. 

Q.  On  what  day  did  Christ  become  man? 

A.  On  the  twenty -fifth  of  March,  the  day  of  the  an- 
nunciation, he  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ap. 
Cr. 

Q.  Why  is  it  called  the  day  of  the  annunciation  ? 

A.  Because  on  that  day  the  angel  Gabriel  announced 
to  the  Virgin  Mary  :  Behold  thou  shall  conceive  in  thy 
womb,  and  shalt  bring  forth  a  son,  and  thou  shall  call 
his  name  Jesus.     Luke,  i.  3 1 . 

Q.  On  what  day  was  Chrjst  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary  ? 

A.  On  Christmas-day,  in  a  stable  at  Bethlehem. 


18 

Q.  How  long  did  Christ  live  upon  earth  ? 

A.  About  thirty-three  years  he  led  a  most  holy  life 
hi  poverty  and  sufferings. 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  live  so  long  on  earth  ?  • 

A.  To  show  the  way  to  heaven,  by  his  instructions 
and  example. 

Q.   How  did  Christ  end  his  life? 

A  On  good  Friday  lie  was  crucified  on  Mount  Cal- 
vary, and  died  nailed  to  a  cross.     Ap.  Cr. 

Q.  Why  do  you  call  that  day  good,  on  which  Christ 
suffered  so  painful  and  so  ignominious  a  death  ? 

A.  Because  on  that  day,  by  dying  on  the  cross,  Ire 
showed  the  excess  of  his  love,  and  purchased  every 
blessing  for  us. 

Q.  Who  condemned  Christ  to  so  cruel  a  death  ? 

A,  Pontius  Pilate,  the  Roman  Governor,  at  the  desire 
of  the  Jews. 

Q.  What  do  you  infer  from  the  sufferings  and  death 
of  Christ  ? 

A.  The  enormity  of  sin,  the  hatred  God  bears  to  it, 
and  the  necessity  of  satisfying  for  it. 

Q.  Did  any  thing  remarkable  happen  at  the  death  of 
Christ? 

A.  Yes ;  the  sun  was  darkened,  the  earth  trembled, 
and  the  dead  arose,  and  appeared  to  many.     Matt,  xxvil 

LESSON  VIII. 

On  Christ9 s  descent  into  Hell,  and  on  his  resurrection 
and  ascension  into  Heaven. 

Q.  Where  did  Christ's  soul  go  after  his  death  ? 

A.  It  descended  into  Hell.     A  p.  Cr. 

Q.  Did  Christ's  soul  descend  into  the  hell  of  the 
damned  ? 

A.  No ;  but  to  a  place  of  rest,  called  Limbo.  Acts 
h.  24,  27.     Psalms,  xv.  10. 


19 

Q.  Who  were  in  Limbo  ? 

A.  The  souls  of  the  saints,  who  died  before  Christ 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  descend  into  Limbo! 

A.  St.  Peter  says,  to  preach  to  those  spirits  that  were 
in  prison  ;  that  is,  to  announce  to  them  in  person  the 
joyful  tidings  of  their  redemption.     1  Pet.  iii.  19. 

Q.  Why  did  not  the  souls  of  the  saints,  who  died  be- 
fore Christ,  go  to  heaven  immediately  after  their  death? 

A.  Because  heaven  was  shut  against  them  by  the  sin 
of  our  first  parents ;  and  could  not  bo  opened  to  any 
one,  but  by  the  death  of  Christ. 

Q.  When  did  the  souls  of  the  saints,  who  died  before 
Christ,  go  to  heaven  ? 

A.   When  Christ  ascended  into  heaven. 

Q.  Where  was  Christ's  body  when  his  soul  was  in 
Limbo  ? 

A.  In  the  sepulchre  or  grave. 

Q.  On  what  day  did  Christ  rise  from  the  dead  ? 

A.  On  Easter  Sunday,  the  third  day  after  he  was 
crucified,  he  rose  in  body  and  soul,  glorious  and  humor 
tal,  from  the  dead. 

Q.  What  does  the  resurrection  of  Christ  prove  ? 

A.  That,  as  by  dying  on  the  cross,  he  showed,  him- 
self a  real  mortal  man,  so  by  raising  himself  from  the 
dead,  he  proved  himself  God.     Ap.  Cr. 

Q.  How  long  did  Christ  stay  on  earth  after  his 
resurrection? 

A.  Forty  days ;  to  show  that  he  was  truly  risen 
from  the  dead,  and  to  instruct  his  apostles. 

Q.  After  Christ  had  remained  forty  days  on  earth, 
where  did  he  go  ? 

A.  On  ascension  day,  he  ascended  from  Mount  Oli- 
ret,  with  his  body  and  soul,  into  heaven.     Ap.  Cr. 

Q.   Where  is  Christ  in  heaven  ? 

A.  He  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  tlte  Father 
Almighty.     Ap.  Cr. 


20 

Q.  What  do  }7ou  mean  by  saying,  that  Christ  sits  at 
the  right  hand  of  God  ? 

A.  I  mean,  that  Christ,  as  God,  is  equal  to  his  Father 
in  all  things ;  and  as  man,  is  in  the  highest  place  in 
heaven,  next  to  God  in  power  and  glory. 

Q.  What  did  Christ  promise  to  his  apostles  before 
he  ascended  into  heaven  ? 

A.  That  he  would  send  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  spirit  of 
truth,  to  teach  them  all  things,  and  to  abide  with  them 
for  ever.     John,  xiv. 

LESSON  IX. 

On  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  on  the  New  Law,  and 
the  Sign  of  the  Cross. 

Q.  Ox  what  day,  and  after  what  manner,  did  the 
Holy  Ghost  descend  on  the  apostles  ? 

A.  On  Whitsunday  the  Holy  Ghost  descended  in  tlvt 
form  of  tongues  of  fire,  and  sat  upon  every  one  of 
them.     Acts,  ii. 

Q.  What  does  the  Scripture  say  of  those  who 
received  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 

As  They  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and 
they  began  to  speak  in  divers  tongues,  the  wonderful 
works  of  God.     Acts,  ii. 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  send  the  Holy  Ghost? 

A.  To  sanctify  his  church,  to  comfort  his  apostles, 
and  to  enable  them  to  preach  his  gospel,  or  the  new 
law. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  the  new  law? 

A.  The  law  which  Christ  established  on  earth. 

Q.  Which  was  the  old  law  ? 

A.  The  law  given  to  the  Jews. 

Q.  How  do  you  call  the  followers  of  the  new  law? 

A.  Christians. 

Q.  How  are  we  known  to  be  Christians? 


21 

A.  By  being  baptized,  by  professing  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  and  by  the  sign  of  the  cross. 

Q.  How  is  the  sign  of  the  cross  made  ? 

A.  By  putting  the  right  hand  to  the  forehead,  then 
under  the  breast,  then  to  the  left  and  right  shoulders; 
saying,  \n  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen 

Q.  Why  do  you  make  the  sign  of  the  cross  ? 

A.  .To  beg  that  Jesus  Christ,  by  his  cross  and  pas- 
sion, may  bless  and  protect  me. 

Q.  Should  we  frequently  make  the  sign  of  the  cross? 

A.  Yes  ;  particularly  in  all  temptations  and  dangers, 
and  before  and  after  prayer;  and  always  with  great 
attention  and  devotion. 

Q.  What  does  the  sign  of  the  cross  signify? 

A.  It  signifies  and  brings  to  our  minds  the  principal 
mysteries  of  religion. 

Q.  What  mysteries  of  religion  does  the  sign  of  the 
cross  recall  to  our  minds  ? 

A.  The  blessed  Trinity,  and  the  incarnation  and 
death  of  our  Saviour. 

Q.  How  does  the  sign  of  the  cross  remind  us  of  the 
blessed  Trinity? 

A.  Because  in  making  the  sign  of  the  cross,  we 
invoke  the  three  divine  persons;  saying,  In  the  name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  cf  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

Q.  How  does  the  sign  of  the  cross  1  ring  to  our 
minds  the  incarnation  and  death  of  our  Sa\iour? 

A.  Because  as  he  suffered  death  in  human  flesh  on  a 
cross,  the  sign  of  the  cross  must  naturally  remind  all 
true  Christians  of  his  incarnation  and  death. 

Q    Where  are  true  Christians  to  be  found  ? 

A.  In  the  true  church. 


22 

LESSON  X. 

On  the  true  Church, 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  the  true  church  ? 

A.  The  congregation  of  all  the  faithful,  who,  being 
baptized,  profess  the  same  doctrine,  partake  of  the  same 
sacraments,  and  are  governed  by  their  lawful  pastors, 
inder  one  visible  head  on  earth. 

Q.  How  do  you  call  the  true  church? 

A.   The  Holy  Catholic  Church,     Ap.  Cr. 

Q.  Is  there  any  other  true  church,  besides  the  holy 
catholic  church? 

A.  No ;  as  there  is  but  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  bap- 
tism, one  God,  one  father  of  all ;  there  is  but  one  true 
church.     Ephes.  iv. 

Q.  Are  all  obliged  to  be  of  the  true  church  ? 

A.  Yes ;  "  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  condemned" 
Mark  xvi.  16.  Acts  ii.  47.  Luke  x.  15.  John  x.  16. 
MaiL  xviii.  17. 

Q.  Can  persons  who  deny  outwardly  the  true  religion 
or  church,  in  which  the  inwardly  believe,  expect  salva- 
tion while  in  that  state  ? 

A.  No ;  "  whosoever,"  says  Christ,  "  shall  deny  me 
before  man,  I  will  also  deny  him  before  my  Father  who 
is  in  heaven"     Matt.  x.  33. 

Q.  Is  a  person  in  the  way  of  salvation  who  believes 
in  the  true  church,  and  says,  that  in  his  heart  he  is  at- 
tached to  it,  but  through  pride,  human  respect,  or  worldly 
motives,  does  not  make  open  profession  of  it,  or  does 
not  comply  with  its  essential  duties  ? 

A.  No ;  St.  Paul  says,  "  With  the  heart  we  beliem 
unto  justice ;  but  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made  u?> 
to  salvation"     Rom.  x.  10. 

Q.  Will  strict  honesty  to  every  one,  and  moral  good 
works,  ensure  salvation,  whatever  church  or  religion  one 
professes  ? 


23 

A.  No  ;  good  words  must  be  enlivened  by  faith,  that 
worketh  by  charity.     Gal.  v.  6. 

Q.  Why  must  our  good  works  be  enlivened  by  faith  ? 

A.  Because  the  Scriptures  says;  without  faith  it  is 
impossible  to  please  God.     Ileb.  xi.  G. 

Q.  Are  we  justified  by  faith  alone,  without  good 
works  ? 

A.  No  ;  As  the  body  without  the  spirit  is  dead,  so  al- 
so faith  without  works  is  dead.     James,  ii.  26. 

Q.  Must  our  good  works  be  also  enlivened  by  charity? 

A.  Yes  ;  for  St.  Paul  says  :  If  I  should  deliver  all 
my  goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  if  I  should  deliver  my 
body  to  be  burned,  and  have  not  (harily,  it  profdeth  me 
nothing.     1  Cor.  xiii.  3. 

O.  What'  is  that  charity  of  which  St.  Paul  speaks  ? 

A.  That  pure  and  sincere  love  for  God,  which  makes 
us  do  his  will  in  all  things ;  and  be  obedient  to  his 
church,  which  he  commands  us  to  hear.  Matt,  xviii.  17. 
Luke,  x.  1G. 

Q.  Which  are  the  marks  and  signs  of  true  church  ? 

A.  The  true  church  is  One,  Holy,  Catholic,  and 
Apostolical. 

Q.  How  is  the  church  one  ? 

A.  In  being  one  body  and  one  fold,  animated  by  one 
rpirii,  under  one  head,  and  one  shepherd,  Jesus  Christ, 
who  is  over  all  the  church.     Eplies.  i.  and  iv. 

Q.  In  what  else  is  the  church  one  ? 

A.  In  all  its  members  believing  the  same  truths,  har- 
ing  the  same  sacraments  and  sacrifice,  and  being  under 
one  visible  head  on  earth. 

Q.  How  is  the  church  holy? 

A.  In  its  founder,  Jesus  Christ:  in  its  doctrine  and 
sacraments;  and  in  numbers  of  its  children,  who  havo 
been  eminent  for  holiness  in  all  ages. 

Q.  How  is  the  church  catholic  or  universal! 

A.  Because  it  has  subsisted  in  every  age.  and  va  U 


24 

last  to  the  end  of  time,  and  is  spread  throughout  ijl 
nations.     Matt,  xxviii.  20. 

Q.  How  is  the  church  apostolical  ? 

A.  Because  it  was  founded  by  Christ  on  his  apostles, 
and  was  governed  by  them  and  their  lawful  successors; 
and  because  it  never  ceased,  and  never  will  cease  to 
teach  their  doctrine.     Ephes.  ii.  20.     Matt,  xxviii.  20. 

LESSON  XI. 

The  Church  continued. 

Q.  Why  do  we  call  the  church  Roman  ? 

A.  Because  the  visible  head  of  the  church  is  Bishop 
of  Rome ;  and  because  St.  Peter  and  his  successors  fix- 
ed their  see  in  Rome. 

Q.  Who  is  the  visible  head  of  the  church? 

A.  The  Pope :  who  is  Christ's  vicar  on  earth,  and 
supreme  visible  head  of  the  church. 

Q.  To  whom  does  the  Pope  suceeed,  as  visible  head 
of  the  church? 

A.  To  St.  Peter,  who  was  the  chief  of  the  apostles, 
Christ's  vicar  on  earth,  and  first  Pope  and  Bishop  of 
Rome. 

Q.  What  texts  of  Scripture  prove  that  St.  Peter  was 
made  head  of  the  church? 

A.  Chiefly  the  words  which  Christ  said  to  him :  Thou 
art  Peter,  and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my  church, — 
and  I  will  give  to  thee  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven.  Feed  my  lambs,  feed  my  sheep.  Matt,  xvi 
John,  xxi. 

Q.  What  do  these  texts  prove  ? 

A.  That  Christ  committed  to  St.  Peter  and  to  his 
lawful  successors,  the  care  of  his  whole  flock,  that  is, 
of  his  whole  church,  both  pastors  and  people. 

Q.  Who  succeed  to  the  other  apostles  ? 

A.  The  bishops  of  the  holy  catholic  church. 

Q.  Can  the  church  err  in  what  it  teaches  ? 


25 

A.  No ;  because  Christ  promised  to  the  pastors  of 
his  church :  Behold  I  am  with  you  all  days,  even  to  the 
consummation  of  the  world.     Matt,  xxviii.  20. 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  promise  always  to  remain  with  his 
church  ? 

A.  That  he  himself,  directing  and  assisting  by  his 
holy  spirit  the  pastors  of  his  church,  might  teach  all  age* 
and  nations. 

Q.  What  else  did  Christ  promise  to  his  church  ? 

A.  That  the  gates  of  Hell  shall  not  prevail  agaitiM 
it.     Matt.  xvi.  18. 

Q.  What  other  advantage  have  we  in  the  true  church  ? 

A.  We  have  true  faith,  with  the  communion  of  saints 
and  the  forgiveness  of  sins.     Ap.  Cr. 

Q.  What  means  the  forgiveness  of  sins? 

A.  That  Christ  left  to  the  pastors  of  his  church  the 
power  of  forgiving  sins.     St.  John,  xx.  23. 

LESSON  XTL 

On  Sin. 

Q.  What  is  actual  sin  ? 

A.  Any  wilful  thought,  word,  deed,  or  omission,  con- 
trary to  the  law  of  God. 

Q.  How  many  kinds  of  actual  sin  are  there  ? 

A.  Two  :  mortal  and  veniaL 

Q.  What  is  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  A  grevious  offence  or  transgression  against  the 
law  of  God. 

Q.  Why  is  it  called  mortal  ? 

A.  Because  it  kills  the  soul,  by  depriving  it  of  its  truo 
life,  which  is  sanctifying  grace — and  because  it  brings 
everlasting  death  and  damnation  on  the  soul. 

Q.  Does  venial  sin  deprive  the  soul  of  sanctifvi ng 
grace,  and  deserve  everlasting  punishment  ? 

A.  No ;  but  it  hurts  the  soul  by  lessening  its  love  for 
Cod,  and  by  disposing  to  mortal  sin. — The  Scriptures 


26 

says :  He  that  contemneth  small  things,  shall  fall  by 
little  and  little.     Eccles.  xix.  1. 

Q.  What  is  sanctifying  grace? 

A.  That  grace  which  sanctifies  the  soul,  and  makes 
it  pleasing  to  God. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  grace  ? 

A.  A  supernatural  gift,  destined  by  God  for  our  sanc- 
tification,  and  to  enable  us  to  merit  heaven. 

Q.  Is  grace  necessary  to  salvation  ? 

A.  Yes;  without  me,  says  Christ,  you  can  do  nothing. 
John,  xv.  5. 

Q.  Is  it  a  great  misfortune  to  fall  into  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  It  is  the  greatest  of  all  misfortunes. 

Q.  What  should  we  do,  when  we  have  fallen  into 
mortal  sin  ? 

A.  We  should  repent  sincerely^  and  go  to  confession 
as  soon  as  possible. 

Q.  Why  should  ^  e  go  to  confession  after  we  have 
fallen  into  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  That  we  may  recover  God's  friendship,  and  be 
always  prepared  to  die. 

Q.  YVhat  should  we  do,  if  we  cannot  go  to  confession 
when  we  fall  into  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  We  should  excite  ourselves  to  perfect  contrition, 
with  u,  sincere  desire  of  going  to  confession  as  soon  as 
we  tan. 

Q.  How  do  you  express  an  act  of  perfect  contrition  ? 

A.  O  my  God,  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  having  ofFend- 
ed  thee,  and  I  detest  my  sins  most  sincerely,  not  only 
because  by  them  I  have  lost  all  right  to  heaven,  and  have 
deserved  the  everlasting  torments  of  hell,  but  especially 
because  they  displease  thee,  my  God,  who  art  so  deserv- 
ing of  all  my  love,  on  account  of  thy  infinite  goodness, 
and  most  amiable  perfections;  and  I  firmly  resolve,  by 
thy  holy  grace,  never  more  to  offend  thee,  and  to  amend 
rnv  life. 


27 

Q.  Will  perfect  contrition  reconcile  us  to  God  when 
we  cannot  go  to  confession  ? 

A.  Yes ;  and  it  is  the  only  means  we  have  to  recover 
God's  friendship  when  we  cannot  go  to  confession. 

Q.   What  is  necessary  for  our  contrition  to  be  perfect? 

A.  That  we  should  be  truly  sorry  for  our  sins,  be- 
cause they  are  offensive  to  God,  who  is  so  good  in  him 
self ;  with  a  sincere  resolution  not  to  offend  God  any 
more ;  to  satisfy  for  our  sins,  and  to  go  to  confession 
as  soon  as  we  can. 

Q.  How  many  are  the  chief  mortal  sins,  commonly 
called  capital  and  deadly  sins? 

A.  Seven,—  Pride,  Covetousness,  Lust,  Anger,  Glut- 
tony, Envy,  Sloth. 

y.  Where  shall  they  go  who  die  in  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  To  hell,  for  all  eternity. 

Q.  Where  do  they  go  who  die  in  venial  sin? 

A.  To  purgatory. 

LESSON  XIII. 

On  Purgatory. 

Q.  What  is  purgatory  ? 

A.  A  place  of  punishment  in  the  other  life,  where 
some  souls  suffer  for  a  time,  before  they  can  go  to 
heaven.     Matt.  xii.  32. 

Q.  Do  any  others  go  to  purgatory  besides  those  who 
die  in  venial  sin  ? 

A.  Yes ;  all  who  die  indebted  to  God's  justice  on  ac- 
count of  mortal  sin. 

Q.  When  God  forgives  mortal  sin,  as  to  the  guilt  of 
it,  and  the  eternal  punishment  it  deserved,  does  he* 
require  temporary  punishments  to  be  suffered  for  it  I 

A.  \  es ;  very  often,  for  our  correction — to  deter  us 
from  relapsing  into  sin  ;  and  that  we  should  make  some 
atonement  to  his  offended  justice  and  goodness.  Num. 
*iv.  23,  and  2  Kings,  xii.  xiii.  xiv. 


Q.  Can  the  souls  in  purgatory  be  relieved  by  our 

prayers  and  other  good  works  ? 

A.  Yes ;  being  children  of  God,  and  still  members  of 
the  church,  they  share  in  the  communion  of  saints — 
and  the  scripture  says,  it  is  a  holy  and  wlwlesome  thought 
to  pray  for  the  dead,  that  they  may  be  loosed  from  their 
sins.     2  Mace.  xii.  46. 

Q.  What  means  the  communion  of  saints  ? 

A.  It  means  that  all  who  belong  to  the  true  church, 
by  their  prayers  and  good  works  assist  each  other. 

Q.  Is  it  sufficient  for  salvation  to  be  members  of  tho 
true  church  ? 

A.  No ;  we  must  avoid  evil  and  do  good.     Pet.  i.  3? 

Q.  What  good  shall  I  do  that  J  may  h*we  life  ever- 
lasting?    Matt.  xix.  16. 

A.  If  thou  wilt  enter  into  life,  says  Christ,  keep  tke 
commandments.     Matt.  xix.  17. 

Q.  What  commandments  am  I  to  keep  ? 

A.  The  ten  commandments  of  God. 

LESSON  XIV. 
On  the  Ten  Commandments. 
Q.  Say  the  Ten  Commandments  of  God. 
A.  1.  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  thou  shalt  not  have 
strange  gods  before  me,  &c* 

2.  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain. 

3.  Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  day. 

4.  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother. 

5.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

6.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

7.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

8.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour. 

9.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife. 

*  See  Appendix,  p.  69. 


29 

10.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  good*.  Ex.  xx 

Q.  Is  it  necessary  to  keep  all  and  every  one  of  the 
ten  commandments  ? 

A.  Yes:  the  Scripture  says,  whosoever  shall  offend  in 
one,  is  become  guilty  of  all — that  is,  the  observance  of 
the  other  commandments  will  not  avail  him  to  salva 
vation.     James,  xi.  10. 

Q.  Which  is  the  first  commandment? 

A.  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  thou  shalt  not  have  strange 
gods  before  me. 

Q.  What  is  commanded  by  the  first  commandment? 

A.  To  adore  one  God,  and  to  adore  but  him  alone. 

Q.  How  are  we  to  adore  God? 

A.  By  faith,  hope,  and  charity ;  by  prayer  and  sacrifice. 

Q.  What  is  faith? 

A.  A  divine  virtue,  by  which  we  firmly  believe  what 
God  has  taught. 

Q.  How  do  we  know  with  certainty ,  what  God  has 
taught  ? 

A.  By  the  authority  of  his  church,  which  is  the  'pillar 
and  ground  of  truth.     1  Tim.  hi.  15. 

Q.  Why  do  we  believe  what  God  has  taught? 

A.  Because  he  is  the  Infallible  Truth,  and  therefore 
cannot  deceive,  nor  be  deceived. 

Q.  What  is  hope  ? 

A.  A  divine  virtue,  by  which  we  firmly  hope  for  eter- 
nal life,  and  for  the  means  to  obtain  it. 

Q.  Why  do  we  hope  in  God  ? 

A.  Because  he  is  infinitely  powerful,  good  and  merci- 
ful; and  because  he  is  faithful  to  his  word,  and  has 
promised  all  graces,  even  heaven  itself,  through  Jesus 
I  hrist,  to  all  those  who  keep  his  commandments. 

Q.  What  is  charity  ? 

A.  A  divine  virtue,  by  which  we  love  God  above  all 
for  his  own  sake;  and  our  neighbours  as  ourselves  for 
the  love  of  God. 


30 

Q.  Why  should  we  love  God  above  all  for  his  own  sake  1 

A.  Because  God  alone  is  infinitely  good  and  perfect. 

Q.  How  are  we  to  love  God  above  all  ? 

A.  By  loving  him  more  than  ourselves,  and  more  than 
any  thing  in  the  world — and  by  being  disposed  to  sac- 
rifice every  thing  that  is  most  dear  to  us,  even  our  very 
lives,  if  necessary,  rather  than  to  offend  him. 
Q.  Should  we  often  make  acts  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity  ? 

A.  Yes;  and  particularly  when  we  come  to  the  use 
of  reason,  and  at  the  hour  of  death — also  when  we  are 
tempted  to  sin,  or  have  sinned  against  those  divine  vir- 
tues— and  when  we  prepare  ourselves  to  receive  anj 
sacrament 

LESSON  XV. 

On  the  First  Commandment. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  first  Commandment? 

A.  All  sins  against  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  and  other 
duties  of  religion. 

Q.  How  does  a  person  sin  against  faith? 

Ai  By  not  endeavouring  to  know  what  God  has 
taught,  by  not  believing  all  that  God  has  taught,  and 
by  not  professing  his  belief  in  what  God  has  taught. 

Q.  Who  are  they  who  do  not  endeavour  to  know 
what  God  has  taught  ? 

A.  They  who  neglect  to  learn  the  Christian  doctrine, 

Q.  Who  are  they  who  do  not  believe  all  that  God 
has  taught  ? 

A.  Heretics  and  infidels. 

Q.  Who  are  they  who  sin  against  faith  by  not  pro- 
fessing their  belief  in  what  God  has  taught  ? 

A.  All  those,  who  by  any  outward  act,  profession, 
or  declaration,  deny  the  true  religion  or  church,  in  which 
they  inwardly  believe. 

Q.  When,  in  particular,  are  we  obliged  to  make  open 
profession  of  our  faith  or  religion  ? 


31 

A.  As  often  as  God's  honour,  our  own  spiritual  good, 
or  our  neighbour's  edification  requires  it.  Whosoever, 
6ays  Clirist,  shall  confess  me  before  men  ;  I  will  also 
confess  him  before  my  Father  wlio  is  in  heaven.  Matt. 
x.  32. 

Q.  What  does  St.  Paul  say  of  apostates ;  that  is,  of 
those  who  are  fallen  away  from  the  true  religion  or 
church  ? 

A.  That  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  be  renewed  again 
Co  penance ;  that  is,  their  conversion  is  extremely  diffi- 
cult.    Heb.  vi.  4.  6. 

Q.  Why  is  the  conversion  of  apostates  so  very  difficult  ? 

A.  Because,  by  their  apostacy  they  crucify  again  the 
Son  of  God,  and  make  a  mockery  of  him.     Heb.  vi.  6. 

Q.  Which  are  the  sins  against  hope  ? 

A.  Despair  and  presumption. 

Q.  What  is  despair? 

A.  A  diffidence  in  God's  mercy. 

Q.  What  is  presumption  ? 

A.  A  foolish  expectation  of  salvation,  without  mak- 
ing proper  use  of  the  necessary  means  to  obtain  it. 

Q.  How  does  a  person  sin  against  the  love  of  God? 

A.  By  every  sin,  but  particularly  by  mortal  sin. 

Q.  How  does  a  person  sin  against  the  love  of  his 
neighbour  ? 

A.  By  injuring  him  in  any  respect ;  and  by  not  as- 
sisting him,  when  able,  in  his  spiritual  or  corporal 
necessities, 

LESSON  XVI. 

First  Commandment  continued. 

Q.  What  else  is  forbidden  by  the  first  Command- 
ment ? 

A.  To  give  to  any  creature  the  honour  due  to  God  alone 

Q.   x\re  we  forbidden  to  honour  the  saints? 

A.  No;  if  we  only  honour   them  as  God's  special 


32 

friends  and  faithful  servants,  and  if  we  do  not  give  them 
supreme  or  divine  honour,  which  belongs  to  God  alone, 

Q.  How  do  Catholics  distinguish  between  the  honour 
they  give  to  God,  and  the  honour  they  give  to  the  saints, 
when  they  pray  to  God  and  the  saints  ? 

A.  Of  God  alone  they  beg  grace  and  mercy;  and  of 
the  saints  they  only  ask  the  assistance  of  their  prayers. 
Tobias,  xii.  12. 

Q.  Is  it  lawful  to  recommend  ourselves  to  the  saints, 
and  to  ask  their  prayers  ? 

A.  Yes ;  as  it  is  lawful  and  a  very  pious  practice  to 
ask  the  prayers  of  our  fellow- creatures  on  earth,  and 
to  pray  for  them.      Thessal.  v.  25.  James,  v.  16. 

Q.  Why  do  Catholics  kneel  before  the  images  of 
Christ  and  of  his  saints  ? 

A.  To  honour  Christ  and  his  saints,  whom  their 
images  represent.     Exod.  xxv.  18,  19,  22. 

Q.  Is  it  proper  to  show  any  mark  of  respect  to  the 
crucifix  and  to  the  pictures  of  Christ  and  his  saints  ? 
A.  Yes ;  because  they  relate  to  Christ  and  his  saints,  being 
representations  and  memorials  of  them.  Acts,  xix.  12. 

Q.  Why  do  Catholics  honour  the  relics  of  the  saints  ? 

A.  Because  their  bodies  have  been  the  temples  of 
the  Holy  Ghost:  and  at  the  last  day  will  be  honoured 
and  glorified  for  ever  in  heaven.     Matt.  ix.  20,  21. 

Q.  May  we  then  pray  to  the  crucifix,  or  to  the 
images,  or  relics  of  the  saints  ? 

A.  By  no  means;  for  they  have  neither  life,  nor 
sense,  nor  power  to  hear  or  help  us. 

O.  Why  then  do  we  pray  before  the  crucifix,  and 
before  the  images  and  relics  of  the  saints  ? 

A.  Because  they  enliven  our  devotion,  by  exciting 
pious  affections  and  desires,  and  reminding  us  of  Christ 
and  his  saints;  they  also  encourage  us  to  imitate  their 
virtues  and  good  works.  Exod.  xxv.  18,  19,  22.  St 
John,  iii.  14. 


33 

Q.  Is  it  not  forbidden  by  the  first  commandment  to 
make  images  ? 

A.  No  ;  if  we  do  not  make  them  for  gods,  to  adore 
and  serve  them,  as  the  idolaters  did. 

Q.  Is  there  any  tiling  else  forbidden  by  the  first  com- 
mandment ? 

A.  Yes;  all  dealings  and  communications  with  the 
devil ;  and  inquiring  after  things  lost,  hidden,  or  to  come, 
by  improper  means. 

Q.  Are  crediting  dreams,  fortune-telling,  and  the  like 
superstitious  practices,  also  forbidden  ? 

A.  Yes ;  and  all  incantations,  charms,  and  spells ; 
also,  idle  observation  of  omens  and  accidents,  and  all 
such  nonsensical  remarks. 

Q.  What  do  you  think  of  theatrical  representations, 
in  which  religion,  its  ministers,  and  sacred  rites  are 
ridiculed? 

A.  They  are  impious  and  highly  criminal,  and  strictly 
forbidden  by  the  first  commandment 

LESSON  XVII. 

On  tlie  Second,  Third,  and  Fourth  Commandments. 

Q.  Say  the  second  commandment. 

A.  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain. 

y.  What  is  commanded  by  the  second  commandment? 

A.  To  speak  with  reverence  of  God,  of  his  saints 
and  ministers:  of  religion,  its  practices  and  ceremonies; 
and  of  all  things  relating  to  divine  service. 

Q.  What  else  is  commanded  by  the  second  com- 
mandment  ? 

A.  To  keep  our  lawful  oaths  and  vows. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  second  commandment? 

A.  All  false,  rash,  unjust,  and  unnecessary  oaths ; 
Also,  cursing,  swearing,  blaspheming,  and  profane  words 
Mail.  v.  34.     James,  v.  12. 


34 

Q.  Is  it  ever  lawful  to  swear  ? 

A.  It  is ;  when  God's  honour,  our  own  or  our  neigh 
hour's  good,  or  necessary  defence,  require  it. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  an  unjust  oath? 

A.  An  oath  injurious  to  God,  to  ourselves,  or  to  oui 
neighbours. 

Q.  Is  a  person  obliged  to  keep  an  unjust  oath  ? 

A.  No ;  he  sinned  in  taking  it,  and  would  sin  more 
grievously  in  keeping  it 

Q.  Is  a  person  obliged  to  keep  a  lawful  oath  ? 

A.  Yes;  and  it  would  be  perjury  to  break  it. 

Q.   What  is  perjury  ? 

A.  To  break  a  lawful  oath,  or  to  take  a  false  one. 

Q.  Is  perjury  a  great  sin?  • 

4.  It  is  a  most  grevious  sin. 

Q.  Say  the  third  commandment. 

A.  Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath  da^P. 

Q.  What  is  commanded  by  the  third  commandment? 

A.  To  sanctify  the  Sunday. 

Q.  Which  is  the  chief  duty  by  which  we  are  com- 
manded to  sanctify  the  Sunday  ? 

A.  Assisting  at  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass. 

Q.  What  other  religious  exercises  are  recommended 
to  sanctify  the  Sunday? 

A.  Attending  vespers,  reading  moral  and  pious  books, 
and  going  to  communion. 

Q.  What  particular  good  works  are  recommended  to 
sanctify  the  Sunday  ? 

A.  The  works  of  mercy,  spiritual  and  corporal ;  and 
particularly  to  instruct  the  ignorant  in  the  way  of  sal- 
vation, by  word  and  example.     Daniel,  xii.  3. 

Q.   What  is  forbidden  by  the  third  commandment? 
A.  All  unnecessary  servile  work  ;  and  whatever  may 
hinder  the  due  observance  of  the  Lord's  day,  or  tend 
to  profane  it. 

Q.  Say  the  fourth  commandment. 

A.  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother. 


35 

Q.  What  is  commanded  by  the  fourth  commandment 

A.  To  love,  honour,  and  obey  parents  and  superiors 
<ol  iii.  20. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  fourth  commandment? 

A,  All  contempt,  stubbornness,  ill-will,  and  disobe- 
dience to  parents  and  superiors. 

Q.   What  are  the  chief  duties  of  parents? 

A.  To  provide  for  their  children  ;  to  instruct  them  and 
all  others  under  their  care  in  the  Christian  doctrine;  and  by 
every  means  in  their  power  to  lead  them  to  God.  1  Tim.v.  8. 

Q.  What  special  reward  has  God  promised  to  duiiful 
children  ? 

A.  A  long  and  happy  life,  even  in  this  world.  Ephes.  vi. 

Q.  What  are  the  duties  of  citizens  towards  the  civil 
government? 

A.  To  obey  the  laws  and  respect  the  public  officers, 
M  not  only  for  wrath,  but  also  for  conscience  "  sake  ;  for 
so  is  the  will  of  God.  1  Pet.  ii.  Rom.  xiii.  We  should 
likewise  pray  "for  all  who  are  in  high  stations,  that  we 
may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life."     1  Tim.  ii. 

Q.  Is  it  sinful  to  resist  the  established  authorities  \ 

A.  Yes ;  St.  Paul  says :  "  Let  every  soul  be  subject  to 
higher  powers :  for  there  is  no  power  but  from  God  : 
and  those  that  are,  are  ordained  of  God.  Therefore 
he  that  resisteth  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordinance  of 
God,  and  they  that  resist,  purchase  to  themselves  dam- 
nation."    Rom.  xiii.  1. 

Q.  What  are  the  chief  duties  of  masters  to  their 
servants,  apprentices,  and  all  others  under  their  care  \ 

A.  To  lead  them  to  God  by  word  and  example;  to 
see  that  they  be  exact  in  their  religious  duties ;  to  treat 
(hem  with  justice  and  humanity  ;  and  to  correct  hi\d 
reprove  them,  when  necessary. 

Q.   What  does  St.  Patd  say  to  masters  ? 

A.  Masters,  do  to  your  servants  that  which  is  just  and 
equal ;  knowing  that  you  also  have  a  master  in  heaven. 
Colos.  iv.  1. 


36 

Q.  What  are  the  chief  duties  of  servants  and  ap- 
prentices to  their  masters  ? 

A.  To  be  obedient,  respectful,  and  faithful  to  them; 
to  be  diligent  in  their  work  and  services,  and  not  to  suffer 
their  masters  to  be  injured  in  their  property  by  any  per- 
son.    Ephes.  vi.     Colos.  hi. 

LESSON  XVIII. 

On  the  Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  and  Eighth  Commandments. 

Q.  Say  the  fifth  commandment? 

A  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  fifth  commandment  ? 

A.  All  wilful  murder,  quarrelling,  fighting,  hatred, 
anger,  and  revenge. 

Q.  What  else  is  forbidden  by  the  fifth  commandment? 

A.  All  injurious  words:  giving  scandal  or  bad  ex 
ample;  and  not  to  ask  pardon  of  those  whom  we  have 
offended.     Matt.  v.  39. 

Q.  Say  the  sixth  commandment. 

A.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  sixth  commandment  ? 

A.  All  unchaste  freedoms  with  another's  wife  or  hus- 
band. 

Q.  What  else  is  forbidden  by  the  sixth  commandment  ? 

A.  All  immodest  looks,  words,  or  actions ;  and  every 
thing  that  is  contrary  to  chastity.     Col.  iii.  6. 

Q.  \re  immodest  songs,  discourses,  plays,  novels, 
and  cotv^dies,  forbidden  by  the  sixth  commandment  ? 

A.  Yes ;  and  it  is  sinful  to  join  in  them,  to  encourage 
them,  or  to  be  present  at  them. 

Q.  Say  the  seventh  commandment 

A.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  seventh  commandment? 

A.  All  unjust  taking  or  keeping  what  belongs  to 
another. 

Q.  What  else  is  forbidden  by  the  seventh  command- 
ment ? 


37 

A.  All  cheating  in  buying  or  selling  ;  or  any  other 
injury  done  our  neighbour  in  his  property.     1  Cor.  vi.  10, 

Q.  What  is  commanded  by  the  seventh  commandment  ? 

A.  To  pay  our  lawful  debts  ;  and  to  give  every  one 
his  own. 

Q.  What  are  they  obliged  to  do,  who  retain  ill-got 
goods,  or  who  have  unjustly  what  belongs  to  another  ? 

A.  To  restore  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  as  far  as 
they  are  able  ;  Otherwise  the  sin  will  not  be  forgiven  them. 

Q.  Say  the  eighth  commandment. 

A.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour. 

Q.   What  is  forbidden  by  the  eighth  commandment  ? 

A.  All  false  testimonies,  rash  judgments,  and  lies. 
Matt.  vii.  1. 

Q.  Is  it  lawful  to  tell  an  innocent  or  jocose  lie,  or  to 
tell  a  lie  for  a  good  purpose  1 

A.  No  lie  can  be  lawful  or  innocent ;  and  no  motive, 
however  good,  can  excuse  a  lie;  because  a  lie  is  always 
sinful  and  bad  in  itself.     John,  viii.  44. 

Q.  What  else  is  forbidden  by  the  eighth  command- 
ment? 

A.  Backbiting,  calumny,  and  detraction ;  and  all 
words  and  speeches  hurtful  to  our  neighbour's  honour, 
or  reputation. 

Q.  What  is  commanded  by  the  eighth  commandment'? 

A.  To  speak  of  others  with  justice  and  charity,  as 
we  would  be  glad  they  did  speak  of  us;  and  to  witness 
the  truth  in  all  things. 

Q.  What  must  they  do,  who  have  given  false  evi- 
dence against  a  neighbour,  or  who  have  spoken  ill  of 
him,  or  injured  his  character  in  any  respect  % 

A.  They  must  repair  the  injury  done  him,  as  far  as 
they  are  able ;  and  make  him  satisfaction  by  restoring 
his  good  name  as  soon  as  possible  :  otherwise  the  sin 
will  not  be  forgiven  them. 


38 


LESSON  XIX. 
On  tlbe  Ninth  and  Tenth  Commandments. 

Q.  Say  the  ninth  commandment. 

A.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  ninth  commandment  1 

A.  All   immodest   thoughts   and   desires,   and    wilfu 
leasures  in  them. 

Q.  What  else  is  forbidden  by  the  ninth  command 
uaent! 

A.  All  immediate  occasions  of  immodest  thoughts  and 
desires. 

Q.  What  are  the  immediate  occasions  of  immodest 
thoughts  and  desires  1 

A.  Unchaste  words  and  discourses  ;  immodest  books 
and  pictures ;  and  all  amusements  dangerous  to  chastity. 

Q.  What  else  may  be  deemed  immediate  occasions 
of  immodest  thoughts  and  desires  ? 

A.  Lascivious  looks  and  touches;  idleness;  bad  com- 
pany ;  all  excess  in  eating  and  drinking ;  and  whatever 
tends  to  inflame  the  passions. 

Q.  Is  it  sinful  to  have  unchaste  thoughts,  when  there 
is  no  desire  or  intention  to  indulge  them,  by  any  crim- 
inal action  ? 

A.  They  are  always  very  dangerous,  and  when  enter- 
tained deliberately  and  with  pleasure,  they  defile  the 
soul  like  criminal  actions.     Matt.  v.  28. 

Q.  Say  the  tenth  commandment. 

A.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  goods. 

Q.  What  is  forbidden  by  the  tenth  commandment  ? 

A.  All    covetous    thoughts   and    unjust  desire    of  our 
eighbour's  goods  or  profit. 

Q.  To  how  many  commandments  may  the  ten  com- 
mandments be  reduced  1 

A.  To  these  two  principal  commandments :  Tltcu 
slbult    love    the   Lord  thy   God,   with   thy  whole  Iteart,  and 


39 

with  thy  tvholt  soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength,  and  with 
ill  thy  mind,  and  thy  neighbour  as  thyself.  This  do  and 
thou  sluj.lt  live.     Luke,  x.    Mark,  xii. 

Q.  And  who  is  my  neighbour?     Luke,  x.  29. 

A.  Mankind  of  every  description,  and  without  any 
exception  of  persons,  even  those  who  injure  us,  or  differ 
from  us  in  religion. 

Q.  How  am  I  to  love  my  neighbour  as  myself? 

A.  As  you  would,  says  Christ,  tlmt  men  should  do  to  you, 
Jo  yon  also  to  them  in  like  manner.     Luke,  vi.  31. 

Q.  What  particular  duties  are  required  of  me  by  that 
rule  ? 

A.  Never  to  injure  your  neighbour  by  word  or  deed, 
n  his  person,  property,  or  character  :  to  wish  well  to 
lim,  and  to  pray  for  him  ;  and  always  to  assist  him,  as  far 
is  you  are  able,  in  his  spiritual  and  corporal  necessities. 

Q.  Am  I  also  obliged  to  love  my  enemies  1 

A.  Most  certainly.  Love  your  enemies,  says  Christ, 
lo  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  bless  them  tluit  curse  you, 
ind  pray  for  tliem  that  persecute  and  calumniate  you. 
Luke,  vi.     Matt.  v. 

LESSON  XX. 
On  t1&  Precepts  of  the  Church. 

Q.  Are  there  any  other  commandments,  besides  the 
ten  commandments  of  God  ? 

A.  There  are  the  commandments  or  precepts  of  the 
church,  which  are  chiefly  six. 

Q.  Say  the  six  commandments  of  the  church. 

A.  1.  To  hear  Mass*  on  Sundays,  and  all  holy-days 
uf  obligation. 

2.  To  fast  and  abstain  on  the  days  commanded. 

3.  To  confess  our  sins  at  least  once  a  year. 

4.  To  receive  worthily  the  blessed  Eucharist  at  Eas- 
ter, or  within  the*time  appointed. 

5.  To  contribute  to  the  support  of  our  pastors. 


40 

0.  Not  to  solemnize  marriage  at  the  forbidden  times, 
nor  to  marry  persons  within  the  forbidden  degrees  of 
kindred,  or  otherwise  prohibited  by  the  church,  nor 
clandestinely. 

Q.  v^hat  is  our  first  and  chief  duty  on  Sundays  and 
holy-days  ? 

A.  To  hear  Mass  devoutly  ;  and  in  every  other  respect 
we  should  keep  them  holy. 

Q.  Is  it  a  mortal  sin  not  to  hear  Mass  on  a  Sunday, 
or  holy-day  1 

A.  It  is,  if  the  omission  be  culpable ;  and  fathers  and 
mother?,  masters  and  mistresses,  and  all  such  persons, 
sin  grievously,  who  hinder,  without  sufficient  cause,  child- 
ren, servants,  or  any  others  subject  to  them,  from  hear- 
ing Mass  on  a  Sunday  or  holy-day.     2  Thess.  iii.  4.  14 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  holy-days? 

A.  Certain  solemn  days  ordered  by  the  church  to  be 
kept  holy. 

Q.  Why  were  holy  days  instituted  by  the  church  % 

A.  To  recall  to  our  minds,  with  praise  and  thanks- 
giving, the  great  mysteries  of  religion;  and  the  virtues 
and  rewards  of  the  saints,  and  to  glorify  God  on  them* 

Q.  How  are  we  to  keep  holy-days  ? 

A.  As  we  should  keep  the  Sundays. 

Q.  What  are  we  obliged  to  do  by  the  second  com- 
mandment of  the  church  1 

A.  To  give  part  of  the  year  to  fast  and  abstinence. 
Matt.  vi.  16,  17,  18. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  fast  days  1 

A.  Certain  days  on  which  we  are  allowed  but  one 
meal,  and  forbidden  flesh  meat. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  days  of  abstinence'? 

A  Certain  days  on  which  we  are  forbidden  to  eat 
flesh  meat ;  but  are  allowed  the  usual  number  of  meals. 

Q.  Why  does  the  church  command  us  to  faet  and 
abstain  ? 


41 

A.  To  mortify  our  sinful  passions  and  appetites  :  and 
to  satisfy  for  our  sins,  by  doing  penance  for  them. 

Q.  Is  it  strictly  forbidden  by  the  church  to  eat  flesh 
meat  on  days  of  abstinence? 

A.  Yes  ;  and  to  eat  flesh  meat  on  any  day  on  which 
it  is  forbidden,  without  necessity  and  leave  from  the 
church,  is  very  sinful. 

Q.  Why  does  the  church  command  us  to  abstain  from 
flesh  meat  on  Fridays  ? 

A.  In  honour  and  commemoration  of  our  Saviour's  death. 
LESSON  XXI. 
The  Precepts  of  the  Church  continued. 

Q.  What  means  the  commandment  of  confessing 
our  sins,  at  least  once  a  year  ? 

A.  It  means  that  we  are  threatened  with  very  severe 
penalties  by  the  church,  if  we  do  not  go  to  confession 
within  the  year. 

Q.  Does  a  bad  confession  satisfy  the  obligation  of 
confessing  our  sins 'once  a  year? 

A.  So  far  from  it,  that  it  renders  us  more  guilty  by 
tie  additional  crime  of  sacrilege. 

Q.  Is  it  sufficient  to  go  but  once  a  year  to  confession  1 

A.  No  ;  frequent  confession  is  necessary  for  all  those 
who  fall  into  mortal  sin,  or  who.  desire  to  advance  in 
virtue. 

Q.  At  what  age  are  children  obliged  to  go  to  con- 
fession ? 

A.  As  soon  as  they  are  capable  of  committing  sin, 
that  is,  when  they  come  to  the  use  of  reason  ;  which  is 
generally  supposed  to  be  about  the  age  of  seven  years. 

Q.  At  what  age  are  children  obliged  to  receive  the 
blessed  Eucharist? 

A.  As  soon  as  they  are  able  to  discern  the  body  of 
the  Lord  ;  that  is,  when  they  understand  what  the  bless- 
ed Eucharist  is,  and  how  they  should  be  prepared  to 
receive  it  worthily.     1  Cor.  xi.  29. 


42 

Q.  What  punishment  has  the  church  decreed  against 
those  who  neglect  to  receive  the  blessed  Eucharist  at 
Easter? 

A.  They  are  to  be  excluded  from  the  house  of  God 
whilst  living,  and  deprived  of  Christian  burial  when  they 
die.     21  Canon  Council  Later. 

Q.  Are  we  obliged  in  conscience  and  justice  to  con- 
tribute to  the  support  of  our  pastors  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  and  by  a  divine  precept  also.  St.  Paul  says, 
So  the  Lord  ordained  that  they  who  preach  the  gospel 
should  live  by  the  gosjwl.     1  Cor.  ix.  13,  14. 

Q.  Do  the  precepts  of  the  church  oblige  under  pain 
of  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  Yes ;  lie  that  will  not  hear  the  church,  says  Chrisl, 
let  him  be  to  thee  as  the  heathen  and  the  publican.  Luke, 
x.  16,  and  Matt,  xviii.  17. 

Q.  What  is  necessary  to  keep  the  commandments  of 
God,  and  of  his  church  ? 

A.  The  grace  of  God,  which  is  to  be  obtained  chiefly 
by  prayer  and  the  sacraments. 

LESSON  XXII. 
On  Prayer. 

Q.  What  is  prayer  ? 

A.  An  elevation  of  the  soul  to  God,  to  adore  him,  to 
bless  his  holy  name,  to  praise  his  goodness,  and  to  re 
turn  him  thanks  for  his  benefits. 

Q.  Is  prayer  anything  else  ? 

A.  It  is  an  humble  petition  to  God  for  all  necessaries, 
for  soul  and  body. 

Q.  When  should  we  pray  ? 

A.  Christ  himself  says,  We  ought  always  to  pray. 
Luke,  xviii.  1. 

Q.  How  can  we  always  pray 

A.  By  offering  to  God  all  our  thoughts,  words,  smd 
actions;  by  keeping  ourselves  in  the  state  of  grase; 
and  by  praying  at  certain  times. 


43 

Q.  At  what  particular  time  should  we  pray  ? 

A.  On  Sunday  s  and  holy-days ;  every  morning  Ui&  » /try 
Qight ;  and  in  all  dangers,  temptations,  and  affliction,*, 

Q.  After  what  manner  should  we  pray  ? 

A.  'With  all  possible  attention  and  devotion  ;  an<  m  a 
respectful  posture  on  bended  knees. 

Q.  What  conditions  are  necessary  to  render  our 
prayers  acceptable  ? 

A.  We  must  always  ©ffer  them  with  an  humbie  and 
contrite  heart ;  with  fervour  and  perseveranee ,  with 
confidence  in  God's  goodness  ;  with  resignation  to  his 
will,  and  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Q.  What  do  you  say  of  those,  who,  at  their  prayers, 
think  not  of  God,  nor  of  what  they  say  ? 

A.  If  their  distractions  be  wilful,  their  prayers,  instead 
of  pleasing  God,  offend  him.     St.  James,  i.  G. 

Q.  What  prayers  are  most  recommended  to  us  ? 

A.  The  Lord's  prayer,  the  Hail  Mary,  the  Apostle's 
creed,  and  the  Confiteor,  or  General  Confession. 

Q.  Does  the  church  also  recommend  the  Acts  of  Faith, 
Hope,  and  Charity  ? 

A.  Yes;  most  earnestly:  they  are  an  excellent  form 
of  Prayer,  and  remind  us  of  our  chief  duties  to  God. 

Q.  What  are  our  chief  duties  to  God  ? 

A.  To  believe  in  him,  to  hope  in  him,  and  to  love  him. 

Q.  Why  do  you  make  an  act  of  Contrition  before 
live  acts  of  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity  1 

A.  To  obtain  pardon  of  my  sins  :  .and  thereby  to 
render  my  prayers  more  acceptable  to  God,  and  moie 
beneficial  to  myself. 

LESSON  XXIII. 
On  the  LorcPs  Prayer,  and  Hail  Mary. 
Q.  Who  made  the  Lord's  prayer  1 
A.  Jesus  Christ.     Matt.  vi.  9,  10. 
Q.  Whom   do  you  call  our  Fathtr,  when  you   say  the 
Lord's  Prayer? 


44 

A.  Almighty  God,  who  is  the  common  Father  of  all 
St.  John.  iii.  1. 

Q.  What  means  hallowed  be  thy  name  ? 

A.  By  this  we  beg,  that  God's  name  may  be  praised 
and  glorified  by  all  his  creatures. 

Q.  What  means,  thy  kingdom  come  ? 

A.  By  this  we  beg,  that  God  may  reign  in  our  hearts 
by  his  grace,  in  this  life  ;  and  that  we  may  reign  for 
ever  with  him,  in  the  next. 

Q.  What  means,  thy  will  be  done? 

A.  By  this  we  beg,  that  God  would  enable  us,  by  hb 
grace,  to  do  his  will  in  all  things  on  earth,  as  the  angels 
and  saints  do  it  in  heaven. 

Q.  What  means,  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread? 

A.  By  this  we  beg  for  all  necessaries,  for  our  souls 
and  bodies. 

Q.  What  means,  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgivt 
tJiem  who  tresj^ass  against  lis  ? 

A.  By  this  we  beg,  that  God  would  forgive  our 
offences,  as  we  forgive*  them  who  offend  us. 

Q.  Will  God  forgive  our  offences,  if  we  do  not  for- 
give our  enemies,  and  all  those  who  have  offended  us  % 

A.  No  ;  God  will  show  no  mercy  to  us,  unless  we 
forgive  from  our  hearts,  our  enemies,  and  all  those  who 
have  offended  or  injured  us.     Matt  xviii.  35.  vi.  15. 

Q.  What  means,  lead  us  not  into  temptation  ? 

A.  By  this  we  beg,  that  God  would  strengthen  us 
against  all  temptations.     Bom.  ix.  14. 

Q.  What  means,  deliver  us  from  evil? 

A.  B)  this  we  beg,  that  God  would  deliver  us,  in 
body  and  soul,  from  all  evil,  particularly  that  of  sin. 

Q.  Who  made  the  Hail  Mary  ] 

A.  The  Angel  Gabriel  and  saint  Elizabeth  made  the 
first  part  of  it ;  and  the  church  made  the  last.  Luke,  i.  28. 

Q.  Is  it  lawful  to  honour  the  Virgin  Mary  ? 

A.  Yes ;  whereas  God  himself  so  much  honored  her ; 


45 

and  the  Scripture  says,  All  nations  shall  call  her  blessed 
Luke  i.  48. 

Q.  What  honour  do  we  give  our  blessed  Lady  ? 

A.  We  honour  her  more  than  all  the  other  saints, 
because  she  is  the  mother  of  God — but  we  never  give 
her  divine  or  supreme  honour,  which  is  due  to  God  alone. 

Q.  Why  do  Catholics  so  often  repeat  the  Hail  Mary 
and  Holy  Mary  % 

A.  To  honour  the  mystery  of  the  Incarnation,  which 
that  prayer  expresses ;  and  to  show  their  great  respect 
and  devotion  to  the  mother  of  God,  and  their  special  con- 
fidence in  her  assistance,  particularly  at  the  hour  of  death. 

Q.  And  why  do  you  always  say  the  Hail  Mary  after 
the  Lord's  Prayer  1 

A.  That,  by  her  intercession,  we  may  more  easily  ob- 
tain what  we  ask  for  in  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

LESSON  XXIV. 

On  the  Sacraments,  and  on  Baptism. 

Q.  By  what  other  means,  besides  prayer,  can  we 
obtain  the  grace  of  God  ? 

A.  By  the  Sacraments,  the  most  powerful  of  all  means, 

Q.  What  is  a  sacrament  ] 

A.  A  visible,  that  is,  an  outward  sign  or  action,  insti- 
tuted by  Christ,  to  give  grace. 

Q.  Whence  have  the  Sacraments  the  power  of  giving 
grace  ? 

A.  From  the  merits  of  Christ,  which  they  apply  to 
our  souls.     Rom.  vi.  3.  v.  9. 

Q.  Why  are  so  many  ceremonies  used  in  the  admin- 
istration of  the  Sacraments  % 

A.  To  excite  devotion,  and  reverence  to  them;  and 
to  signify  and  explain  their  effects. 

Q.  How  many  Sacraments  are  there  ? 

A.  Seven ;     Baptism,    Confirmation,    Eucharist,    Pea- 
ance,  Extreme  Unction,  Holy  Order,  and  Matrimony. 
Council  of  Trent,  SS.  7.  c.  1. 


46 

Q.   What  is  Baptism  ? 

A.  A  Sacrament,  which  cleanses  us  from  original  sin, 
makes  us  Christians  and  children  of  God ;  and  heirs  to 
the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Q.  Does  Baptism  also  remit  the  actual  sins,  commitr 
ted  before  it? 

A.  Yes;  and  all  the  punishment  due  to  them. 

Q.  Is  Baptism  necessary  to  salvation? 

A.  Yes ;  without  it  one  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  God.     John,  iii.  5. 

Q.  Who  are  appointed  by  Christ  to  give  Baptism  1 

A.  The  pastors  of  his  church;  but  in  case  of  necessity, 
any  lay  man  or  woman  can  give  it. 

Q.  How  is  Baptism  given? 

A.  By  pouring  water  on  the  head  of  the  person  to  be 
baptized  ;  saying  at  the  same  time,  I  baptize  thee,  in  thi 
name  of  the  Fatherland  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Matt,  xxviii.  19. 

Q.  What  did  we  promise  in  Baptism  ? 

A.  To  renounce  the  devil,  with  all  his  works  and  pompa, 

LESSON  XXV. 

On   Confirmation. 

Q.  What  is  confirmation  ? 

A.  A  sacrament,  which  makes  us  strong  and  perfect 
Christians.      Cor.  i.  22.     Acts,  viii.  14,  15,  16. 

Q.  How  does  the  bishop  give  confirmation  ? 

A.  By  the  imposition  of  hands  and  by  prayer ;  that 
is,  he  holds  out  his  hands,  and  prays  at  the  same  time, 
that  the  Holy  Ghost  may  descend  upon  those  who  are  to 
be  confirmed — and  then  he  makes  the  sign  of  the  cross  on 
their  foreheads  with  chrism. 

Q.  Why  does  the.  Bishop  give  the  persons  he  confirms, 
a  stroke  on  the  cheek  ? 

A.  To  put  them  in  mind,  that  by  confirmation  they 
are  strengthened  to  suffer ;  ar.d,  if  necessary,  even  to  die 
for  Christ. 


47 

Q.  To  receive  confirmation,  worthily,  is  it  necessary  to 
be  in  the  state  of  grace  % 

A.  Yes ;  and  children  of  an  age  to  learn,  should  Le 
nstructed  in  the  Christian  doctrine. 

Q.  What  special  preparations  should  be  made  for  con- 
irmation  1 

A.  You  should  make  a  good  confession  ;  and  by  fer- 
ment prayer,  beseech  your  Heavenly  Father,  to  send  his 
Holy  Spirit  on  you.     Luke,  xi.  13. 

Q.  What  do  you  think  of  those  who  receive  confirma- 
ion  in  the  state  of  mortal  sin  ? 

A.  They  receive  no  benefit  by  it — but  become  more 
(infill,  by  adding  to  their  former  guilt  the  horrid  crime  of 
sacrilege. 

Q.  What  graces  are  received  by  confirmation  ? 

A.  The  seven  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Q.  Repeat  the  seven  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

A.  Wisdom,  Understanding,  Counsel,  Fortitude, 
Knowledge,  Piety,  and  the  Fear  of  the  Lord. 

Q.  What  obligations  do  we  contract  by  confirmation  ? 

A.  To  profess  our  faith  openly — not  to  deny  our 
■eligion  on  any  occasion  whatsoever — and,  like  good 
>oldiers  of  Christ,  to  be  faithful  to  him  unto  death. 
Apoc.  ii.  10. 

Q.  Js  it  a  sin  to  neglect  confirmation  ? 

A.  Yes ;  especially  in  these  evil  days,  when  faith  and 
norals  are  exposed  to  so  many,  and  such  violent  tempta- 
Jons. 

LESSON  XXVI. 

On  the  blessed  Eucharist. 

Q.  What  is  the  blessed  Eucharist  1 

A.  TIip  body  and  blood,  soul  and  divinity  of  Jesus 
Christ,  under  the  appearance  of  bread  and  wine. 

Q.  What  means  the  word  Eucharist  1 

A.  A  special  grace  or  Gift  of  God  ;  and  it  means  also 
\  solemn  act  of  thanksgiving  to  God  for  all  his  mercies. 


48 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  the  appearances  of  bread 
•and  wine  ? 

A.  The  taste,  colour,  and  form  of  bread  and  wine, 
which  still  remain,  after  the  bread  and  wine  are  changed 
into  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ. 

Q.  Are  both  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  under  the 
appearance  of  bread  and  under  the  appearance  of  wine  1 

A.  Yes ;  Christ  is  whole  and  entire,  true  God  and  true 
Man,  under  the  appearance  of  each. 

Q.  Are  we  to  believe,  that  the  God  of  all  Glory  is  un- 
der the  appearance  of  our  corporal  food? 

A..  Yes  ;  as  we  also  believe,  that  the  same  God  of  all 
Glory  suffered  death,  under  the  appearance  of  a  criminal 
on  the  cross. 

Q.  How  can  the  bread  and  wTine  become  the  body  and 
blood  of  Christ] 

A.  By  the  goodness  and  power  of  God,  with  whom 
no  word  shall  be  impossible.    Luke,  i.  37. 

Q.  Are  we  assured,  that  Christ  changed  bread  and  wine 
into  his  body  and  blood  ? 

A.  Yes ;  by  the  very  words  which  Christ  himself 
said,  when  he  instituted  the  blessed  Eucharist  at  his  last 
supper. 

Q.  Which  are  the  words  Christ  said,  when  he  insti 
tuted  the  blessed  Eucharist  ? 

A.   This  is  my  body — this  is  my  blood.     Matt.  xy\. 

Q.  Did  Christ  give  power  to  the  priests  of  his  cnurch, 
to  change  bread  and  wine  into  his  body  and  blood  ? 

A.  Yes;  when  he  said  to  his  apostles  at  his  last  sup 
per  :  Do  this  for  a  commemoration  of  me.     Luke  xxii.  19. 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  give  to  the  priests  of  his  church  so 
great  a  power  ? 

A.  That  his  children,  throughout,  all  ages  and  nations, 
might  have  a  most  acceptable  sacrifice  to  offer  to  their 
Heavenly  Father — and  the  most  precious  food  to  nourish 
their  souls.  * 


49 

Q.  What  is  a  sacrifice  ? 

A.  That  first  and  most  necessary  act  of  religion, 
whereby  we  acknowledge  God's  supreme  domiuion  over 
us,  and  our  total  dependence  on  him. 

Q.  What  is  the  sacrifice  of  the  new  law  1 

A.  The  Mass. 

Q.  What  is  the  Mass  1 

A.  The  sacrifice  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ, 
which  are  really  present  under  the  appearances  of  bread 
and  wine ;  and  are  offered  to  God  by  the  priest  for  the 
living  and  the  dead. 

Q.  Is  the  Mass  a  different  sacrifice  from  that  of  the  cross1? 

A.  No;  because  the  same  Christ,  who  once  offered 
himself  a  bleeding  victim  to  his  heavenly  Father  on  the 
cross,  continues  to  offer  himself,  in  an  unbloody  man- 
ner,  by  the  hands  of  his  priests,  on  our  altars. 

Q.  Was  Mass  offered  in  the  old  law  % 

A,  No  ;  so  great  a  sacrifice  was  reserved  for  the  new 
law,  which  was  to  fulfil  the  figures  of  the  old  law, 
and  to  give  religion  its  full  perfection. 

Q.  At  what  part  of  the  M ass  are  the  bread  and  wine 
changed  into  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  ? 

A.  At  the  consecration. 

Q.  By  whom  are  the  bread  and  w^ine  changed  into  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ  ? 

A.  By  the  priest ;  but  in  virtue  of  the  words  of  Christ, 
whose  person  the  priest  represents,  at  the  awful  moment 
of  consecration. 

Q.  What  are  the  ends  for  which  Mass  is  said  1 

A.  To  give  God  honour  and  glory ;  to  thank  him  for 
his  benefits ;  to  obtain  the  remission  of  our  sins  and  all 
other  graces  and  blessings  through  Jesus  Christ. 

Q.  For  what  other  end  is  Mass  offered  1 

A.  To  continue  and  represent  the  sacrifice  of  Christ  on 
the  cross — This  do,  says  Christ,  for  the  commemoration  oj 
me.     1  Cor.  xi. 


50 

Q.  How  should  we  assist  at  Mass  ? 

A.  With  great  interior  recollection  and  piety  :  and 
with  every  mark  of  outward  respect  and  devotion. 

Q.  Which  is  the  besc  manner  of  hearing  Mass  ? 

A.  To  offer  it  to  God  with  the  priest  for  the  same  pur 
poses  for  which  it  is  said  ;  to  meditate  on  Christ's  sufFer 
iiigs,  and  to  go  to  communion. 

LESSON  XXVII. 

On  Communion  and  Penance. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  going  to  communion  ? 

A.  Receiving  the  blessed  Eucharist. 

Q.  Is  it  advisable  to  go  often  to  communion? 

A.  It  is  ;  as  nothing  can  conduce  more  to  a  holy  life. 
He  that  eateth  this  bread,  saijs  Christ,  shall  live  for  ever. 
John,  vi.  59. 

Q.  How  must  we  be  prepared  for  communion  ? 

A.  We  must  be  in  the  state  of  grace ;  penetrated  M§th 
a  lively  faith,  animated  with  a  firm  hope,  and  inflamed 
with  an  ardent  charity.     1  Cor.  xi,  28.  , 

Q.  What  means  to  be  in  the  state  of  grace  ? 

A.  To  be  free,  at  least,  from  the  guilt  of  mortal  sin. 

Q.  How  are  we  to  be  penetrated  with  a  lively  faith? 

A.  By  firmly  believing,  that  the  Blessed  Eucharist  is 
Jesus  Christ  himself,  true  God  and  true  man,  his  very 
flesh  and  blood,  with  his  soul  and  divinity. 

Q.  How  are  we  to  be  animated  with  a  firm  hope  ? 

A.  By  having  great  confidence  in  the  goodness  of 
Christ,  who  gives  himself  to  us  without  reserve,  in  that 
banquet  of  love. 

Q.  And  how  are  we  to  be  inflamed  with  ardent  charity? 

A.  By  returning  love  for  love  to  Christ,  and  by  de- 
voting ourselves  in  earnest  to  his  service,  all  the  days  of 
our  lives. 

Q.  Is  any  thing  else  required  before  communion? 

A    ^s;  to  be  fasting  from  midnight;  and  we  should 


51 

appear    very  modest   and  humble,    and  clean    in    dreas 
showing  in  our  whole  exterior  the  greatest  devotion  and 
reverence  to  so  holy  a  sacrament. 

Q.  What  should  we  do  after  communion  ? 

A.  We  should  spend  some  time  in  meditation  and 
prayer;  and  particularly  in  acts  of  thanksgiving. 

Q.  Is  it  a  great  sin  to  receive  it  unworthily? 

A.  Yes  ;  Whosoever  receives  unworthily,  shall  be  guilty 
of  the  body  and  of  the  blood  of  the  Lord  ;  and  eats  judy 
ment,  (that  is,  damnation,)  to  himself  not  discerning  ilie 
body  of  the  Lord.     1  Cor.  xi.  27.  29. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  receiving  unworthily  ? 

A.  To  receive  the  blessed  Eucharist  in  the  state  of 
mortal  sin. 

Q.  What  should  "a  person  do,  if  he  be  in  mortal  sin, 
before  communion  ? 

A.  He  must  obtain  pardon  in  the  sacrament  of  Penance. 

Q.  What  is  Penance? 

A.  A  sacrament,  by  which  the  sins  are  forgiven,  which 
are  committed  after  baptism. 

Q.  By  whose  power  are  sins  forgiven? 

A.  By  the  power  of  God,  which  Christ  left  to  the 
pastors  of  his  church. 

Q.  When  did  Christ  leave  to  the  pastors  of  his  church 
the  power  of  forgiving  sins? 

A.  Chiefly  when  he  said  to  his  apostles,  Receive  ye  the 
Holy  Ghost :  whose  sins  you  shall  forgive,  they  are  forgiven 
them :  and  whose  sins  you  shall  retain,  they  are  retained. 
John,  xx.  22,  23.   ' 

Q.  What  must  we  do,  to  obtain  pardon  of  our  sins  in 
the  sacrament  of  penance? 

A.  We  must  make  a  good  confession. 

LESSON  XXVIII. 

On  Confession,  and  on  Indulgence. 

Q.  What  is  the  best  method  to  prepare  for  a  good 
confession  ? 


52 

A.  First :  earnestly  to  beg  of  God  the  grace  to  make 
a  good  confession. — Secondly  :  to  examine  ourselves, 
carefully,  on  the  commandments  of  God  and  of  his 
church ;  on  the  seven  deadly  sins,  and  particularly  on 
our  predominant  passions  ;  and  the  duties  of  our  stations 
in  life  :  that  we  may  know  in  what :  and  how  often  we 
have  sinned  by  thought,  word,  deed,  or  omission.  Thirdly: 
to  make  acts  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity. — And  fourthly  : 
to  excite  ourselves  to  sincere  contrition  for  our  sins, 

Q.  What  is  contrition  1 

A.  A  hearty  sorrow  and  detestation  of  sin,  for  having 
offended  God,  with  a  firm  resolution  of  sinning  no  more. 

Q.  How  may  we  excite  ourselves  to  contrition  ? 

A.  By  the  following  motives  or  considerations  :  the 
fear  of  hell ;  the  loss  of  heaven  ;  our  ingratitude  in  offend- 
ing God,  who  is  so  good  to  us  ;  and  the  injury  our  sins  do 
to  God,  who  is  infinitely  good  in  himself. 

Q.  Do  you  recommend  any  other  motive  to  excite 
sorrow  for  our  sins  1 

A.  Yes ;  to  consider  that  the  son  of  God  died  for  our 
sins :  and  that  we  crucify  him  again  as  often  as  we  offend 
him.     Heb.  vi.  6. 

Q.  Which  of  these  motives  is  the  best  to  excite  con- 
trition ? 

A.  To  be  sorry  for  our  sins  because  they  are  offensive 
to  God,  who  is  infinitely  good  and  perfect  in  himself 

Q.  What  should  we  do  at  confession  ? 

A.  We  should  beg  the  priest's  blessing  •  say  the  con- 
fiteor  ;  accuse  ourselves  of  our  sins  ;  listen  attentively 
to  his  instructions  :  and  renew  our  sorrow,  when  he  gives 
absolution. 

Q.  What  do  you  think  of  those  who  conceal  a  mortal 
sin  in  confession  % 

A.  They  commit  a  most  grievous  sin  by  telling  a  lie 
to  the  Holy  Ghost — and  instead  of  obtaining  pardon,  they 
;n— r  milcn.  more  the  wrath  of  God.     Acts.  v. 


53 

Q.  What  must  persons  do,  who  did  not  carefully  ex 
amine  their  conscience ;  or  who  had  not  sincere  sorrow 
for  their  sins ;  or  who  wilfully  concealed  a  mortal  sin  in 
confession? 

A.  They  must  truly  repent  of  all  such  bad  and  sacrile- 
gious confessions  ;  and  make  them  all  over  again. 

Q.  What  is  the  surest  sign  that  our  confessions  wer 
good  ;  and  that  we  had  a  sincere  sorrow  for  our  sins  ? 

A.  The  amendment  of  our  lives. 

Q.  What  should  we  do  after  confession  ? 

A.  We  should  return  God  thanks;  and  diligently  per- 
form the  penance  enjoined  by  the  confessor. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  the  penance  enjoined  by  the 
confessor  ? 

A.  The  prayers  and  other  good  works  which  he  enjoins 
on  penitents,  in  satisfaction  for  their  sins. 

Q.  Will  the  penance,  enjoined  in  confession,  always 
satisfy  for  our  sins  ? 

A.  No ;  but  whatever  else  is  wanting  may  be  supplied 
by  indulgences,  and  our  own  penitential  endeavours. 

Q.  What  does  the  church  teach  concerning  indulgences? 

A.  That  Christ  gave  power  to  the  church  to  grant 
indulgences ;  and  that  they  are  most  useful  to  Christian 
people.      Cone.  Trid.  xi.  25. 

Q.  What  is  the  use  of  an  indulgence? 

A.  It  releases  from  canonical  penance,  enjoined  by  the 
church  on  penitents,  for  certain  sins. 

Q.  Has  an  indulgence  any  other  efFect  ? 

A.  It  also  remits  the  temporary  punishments,  with 
which  God  often  visits  our  sins — and  which  must  be 
suffered  in  this  life,  or  the  next ;  unless  cancelled  by  in 
dulgences,  by  act  of  penance,  or  other  good  works. 

Q.  lias  the  church  power  to  grant  such  indulgences? 

A.  Yes  ;  Whatsoever,  says  Christ  to  St.  Peter,  thou 
ihalt  loose  upon  e:trth,  it  shall  be  loosed  also  in  heaven. 
Matt  xvi.  19.     2  Cor.  ii.  10. 


o4 

Q.  To  whom  does  the  church  grant  indulgences  1 

A.  To  such  only  as  are  in  the  state  of  grace ;  and  are 
sincerely  desirous  to  amend  their  lives  ;  and  to  satisfy 
God's  justice  by  penitential  works. 

Q.  An  indulgence  is  not  then  a  pardon  for  sins  to  come 
nor  license  to  commit  sin  ? 

A.  No  ;  nor  can  it  remit  past  sin — for  sin  must  be  re- 
mitted by  penance,  as  to  the  guilt  of  it,  and  the  eternal 
punishment  due  to  mortal  sin,  before  an  indulgence  can 
be  gained.     1  Cor.  v.  and  2  Cor.  ii. 

%).  Why  does  the  church  grant  indulgences  ? 

A.  To  assist  our  weakness,  and  to  supply  our  insufrt 
ciency  in  satisfying  the  Divine  Justice  for  our  transgress 
sions. 

Q.  What  conditions  are  generally  necessary  to  gain  in- 
dulgences ? 

A.  A  good  confession  and  communion,  and  a  faithful 
compliance  with  the  other  good  works,  which  the  church 
requires  on  such  occasions. 

Q.  What  are  the  other  good  works,  which  the  church 
usually  prescribes,  in  order  to  gain  indulgences  % 

A.  Prayer,  fast,  and  almsdeeds  ;  which  good  works 
indulgences  promote :  and  on  this  account  also  they  are 
most  useful  to  Christian  people. 

LESSON  XXIX. 

On  Extreme  Unction,  Holy  Orders,  and  Matrimony. 

Q.  What  is  extreme  unction  ? 

tA.  A  sacrament  which  gives  grace  to  die  well ;  and  is 
instituted  chiefly  for  the  spiritual  strength  and  comfort  of 
dying  persons. 

Q.  Is  extreme  unction  given  to  all  persons  in  danger  of 
death  ? 

A.  No ;  only  to  such  as  are  in  danger  of  death  by 
sickness. 

Q.  How  should  we  prepare  ourselves  for  extreme 
unction  ? 


55 

A.  By  a  good  confession — and  we  should  bo  truly 
sorry  for  our  sins  :  and  resigned  to  the  will  of  God, 
when  we  are  receiving  that  last  sacrament. 

Q.  Who  are  appointed  to  administer  the  sacrament 
of  extreme  unction  ? 

A.  The  priests  of  the  church,  as  St.  James  teaches, 
and  as  the  church  has  constantly  practised.  Is  any 
man  sick  among  you  ?  Let  him  bring  in  the  priests  of 
the  church,  and  let  them  pray  aver  him,  anointing  him 
wiili  oil  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  <fyc.     James,  v.  14. 

Q.  What  is  holy-order? 

A.  A  sacrament,  which  gives  bishops,  priests,  and 
inferior  clergy  to  the  church ;  and  enables  them  to 
perform  their  several  duties  in  it.     Phil.  i.  1. 

Q.   What  is  matrimony? 

A.  A  sacrament,  which  gives  grace  to  the  husband 
and  wife  to  live  happy  together;  and  to  bring  up  their 
children  in  the  fear  and  love  of  God.     Matt.  xix.  G. 

Q.  Do  they  receive  the  grace  of  the  sacrament  of 
matrimony  who  contract  marriage  in  the  state  of  mor- 
tal sin  ? 

A.  No ;  they  are  guilty  of  a  very  great  sacrilege,  by 
profaining  so  great  a  sacrament ;  and  instead  of  a  bless- 
ing, they  receive  their  condemnation.     Ephes.  v.  32. 

Q.  What  should  persons  do,  to  receive  worthily  the 
sacrament  of  marriage  ? 

A,  They  should  make  a  good  confession — and  earnestly 
beseech  God  to  grant  them  a  pure  intention;  and  to 
direct  them  in  the  choice  they  are  to  make. 

Q.  Should  children  consult  their  parents  on  their  in- 
•tended  marriages  ? 

A.  Yes;  and  be  advised  by  them  according  to  reason 
and  religion — they  should  also  give  timely  notice  to 
their  pastor. 

Q.  What  is  the  reason  that  so  many  marriages  prove 
unhappy  ? 


50 

A.  Because  many  enter  into  that  holy  state  from  un- 
worthy motives,  and  with  guilty  consciences :  therefore 
their  marriages  are  not  blessed  by  God. 

Q.  Can  the  bond  or  tie  of  marriage  be  ever  broken  ? 

A.  It  never  can,  but  by  the  death  of  the  husband  or 
wife.     Matt.  xix.  Rom.  vii.  and  1  Cor.  vii. 

Q.  Can  the  sacraments  be  received  more  than  once? 

A.  All  can,  except  baptism,  confirmation,  and  holy 
orders,  which  imprint  on  the  soul  a  character,  or  spiritual 
mark,  which  never  can  be  efFaced. 

Q.  Which  sacraments  are  most  necessary  to  us  ? 

A.  Baptism  and  penance. 

Q.  Why  did  Christ  institute  the  sacraments? 

A.  For  the  salification  of  our  souls,  and  to  prepare 
us  for  a  happy  and  glorious  resurrection. 

LESSON  XXX. 

On  the  General  Judgment 

Q.  What  means  the  resurrection  of  the  body  ? 

A.  That  we  shall  all  rise  again,  on  the  last  day,  with 
the  same  bodies  which  we  had  in  this  life. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  the  last  day  ? 
.  A.  The  day  of  general  judgment;  When  we  must  all 
be  manifested  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ — and 
then  will  he  render  to  every  man  according  to  his  works. 
2  Cor.  v.  10.     Matt.  xvi.  27. 

Q.  Will  our  bodies  rise  united  to  our  souls  ? 

A.  Yes ;  to  share  in  the  souls  eternal  bliss  or  misery. 

Q.  How  are  the  bodies  of  the  saints  to  rise  ? 

A.  Glorious  and  immortal. 

Q.  Are  the  bodies  of  the  damned  to  rise  glorious? 

A.  No ;  but  they  shall  rise  immortal,  to  live  for  ever 
iu  eternal  flames. 

Q.  In  what  manner  will  Christ  come  to  judge  us  ? 

A.  In  the  clouds  of  heaven,  attended  by  many  legion? 
of  angels,  and  with  great  power  and  majesty.  Matt.  xxiv.  30. 


57 

Q.  At  every  one  is  judged  immediately  after  death, 
what  need  is  there  of  a  general  judgment? 

A.  That  the  providence  of  God,  which  often  here 
permits  the  good  to  suffer,  and  the  wicked  to  prosper, 
may  appear  just  before  all  men. 

Q.  What  will  Christ  say  to  the  good  on  the  last  day  ? 

A.  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  possess  the  king- 
dam  prepared  for  you.     Matt.  xxv.  34. 

Q.  What  shall  Christ  say  to  the  wicked  on  the  last 
day? 

A»  Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  Ji?  e, 
which  was  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his  angels.  MatL 
xxv.  41. 

Q.  Where  must  the  wicked  go  at  the  last  day  ? 

A.  They  shall  qo,  both  body  and  soul,  into  everlast- 
ing punishment. 

Q.  And  where  shall  the  just  go  at  the  last  day  ? 

A.  The  just  will  enter,  with  glorious  and  immortal 
bodies,  into  life  everlasting.     Matt.  xxv.  46. 

Q.  What  means  life  everlasting  ? 

A.  It  means,  if  we  serve  God  faithfully  in  this  life,  we 
shall  be  happy  with  him  for  ever  in  heaven. 

Q.  What  is  the  happiness  of  heaven  ? 

A.  To  see,  love,  and  enjoy  God,  in  the  kingdom  of 
his  glory,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Q.  What  means  Amen  ? 

A.  So  be  it 


THE    CATHOLIC 

SCRIPTURAL    CATECHISM 


Q.  What  is  the  Catholic  Rule  of  Faith  ? 

A.  The  Revealed  Word  of  God. 

Q.  Of  what  does  the  Revealed  Word  of  God  consist! 


58 

A.  It  consists  of  two  parts :  the  Written  Word,  call- 
ed the  Holy  Scripture,  and  the  Unwritten  Word,  called 
Divine  Tradition. 

Q.  Are  these  two  parts  of  equal  authority  ? 

A.  Yes ;  because  they  have  been  equally  revealed  by 
God. 

Q.  Which  of  these  parts  was  before  the  other  ? 

A.  The  Unwritten  Word  was  before  the  Written 
Word,  with  respect  both  to  the  Old  Testament  and  the 
New  Testament? 

Q.  What  divine  traditions  existed  before  Moses  wrote 
the  first  Books  of  the  Old  Testament? 

A.  The  duty  of  sanctifying  the  Sabbath,  [Gen.  ii.  3;) 
the  prohibition  of  eating  the  blood  of  animals,  (Gen.  ix. 
4;)  the  rite  of  Circumcision,  (Gen.  xvi.  10;)  and  gener- 
ally, the  whole  history  of  Religion  before  the  time  of 
Moses,  during  2500  years. 

Q.  What  traditions  of  the  Christian  Religion  existed 
before  the  several  Books  of  the  New  Testament  were 
promulgated  or  written  ? 

A.  The  substitution  of  the  Sunday,  as  a  Holy  Day, 
for  the  Sabbath,  or  Saturday ;  the  abrogation  of  the 
necessity  of  circumscision,  and,  generally,  the  whole 
system  of  the  Christian  Religion. 

Q.  Did  Jesus  Christ  write  the  New  Scripture  ? 

A.  No,  he  did  not  write  any  part  of  it. 

Q.  Did  he  at  any  time  before  his  Ascension,  com- 
mand his  Apostles  to  write  it? 

A.  No :  though  some  of  them  were  inspired,  on  sub- 
sequent occasions,  to  write  the  Books  of  it,  which  beat 
their  names. 

Q.  In  what  manner  then  did  Christ  commission  them 
to  publish  his  doctrine  and  precepts? 

A.  By  preaching :  his  last  words  to  them,  according 
to  St.  Matthew,  being  these :  Going,  therefore,  teach  ye 
all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  oj  the  Holy  GJwst ;  teaching  them 


59 

to  observe  all  things,  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you . 
and,  behold,  I  am  with  you  all  days,  even  to  the  cansum- 
motion  of  the  world.     Matt,  xxviii.  19,  20. 

Q.  Did  the  Apostles  observe  this  precept  in  convert- 
ing nations  to  the  Faith  ? 

A.  Yes,  they  did  :  for  St.  Mark  testifies  of  them,  that 
after  Christ  had  commanded  them  to  Preach  the  Gospel 
to  every  creature  :—  they,  going  forth,  preached  every 
where  ;  the  Lord  working  withal,  and  confirming  the  icord 
by  signs  that  followed.     Mark,  xvi.  20. 

Q.  Did  the  Apostles  instruct  their  disciples  to  follow 
the  same  method  ? 

A.  Yes  ;  for  St.  Paul  writes  to  Timothy  :  The  things 
which  thou  hast  heard  of  me  by  many  witnesses,  the  same 
commend  to  faithful  men,  who  sliall  be  fit  to  teach  others 
also.     2  Tim.  ii.  2. 

Q.  Mas  no  Christian  Nation  or  Province,  since  the 
time  of  the  Apostles,  been  converted  by  reading  the 
Holy  Scriptures? 

A.  No  :  they  have  all  been  converted  by  Preachers, 
succeeding,  by  due  authority,  to  the  above-mentioned 
commission,  given  to  the  Apostles. 

Q.  Did  not  Christ  tell  the  Jews  to  Search  the  Scrip- 
tures ?  (John,  v.  39,)  and  did  not  St.  Paul  commend  the 
Bereans  for  Searching  the  Scriptures  whether  these  things 
were  so?     Acts,  xvii.  11. 

A.  The  texts  in  both  these  instances  referred  to  the 
Prophecies  in  the  Old  Testament  concerning  the  Messiah, 
which  were  evidently  fulfilled  in  the  Person  and  actions 
of  our  Saviour;  not  to  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  nor 
to  the  New  Testament,  which  was  not  then  written. — 
The  same  is  to  be  said  of  St.  Paul's  commendation  of 
Timothy,  for  having  Known  the  Holy  Sciptures  from  his 
infancy.  (2  Tim.  iii.  15.)  Reading  the  Old  Testament 
with  suitable  disposition,  no  doubt  was  profitable  to  this 
Disciple  for  instruction  ;  but  die  Apostle  plainly  signifies 
that  Timothy  had  learnt  his  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  froil 


60 

Aim,  JSt.  Paul,  (v.  14, 15;)  namely,  when  he  preached  al 
Lystra.     Acts,  xiv.  14. 

Q.  Are  the  Scriptures,  of  themselves,  easy  to  be  un- 
derstood ? 

A.  No :  they  contain  Things  hard  to  be  understood, 
which  the  unlearned  and  unstable  wrest  to  their  own 
destruction.  (2  Pet.  iii.  16.)  The  same  is  evident  from 
the  great  variety  of  Sects,  who  profess  to  build  their 
Faith  on  the  Scriptures  alone,  and  yet  differ  from  each 
other  on  the  fundamental  articles  of  Christianity. 

Q.  Has  Christ  furnished  us  with  any  means  by  which 
we  may  learn  with  certainty,  the  sense  of  the  Holy 
Scripture  in  all  necessary  points? 

A.  Yes;  he  has  established  a  never  failing  tribunal, 
both  to  preserve  and  to  interpret  his  divine  Word  in  both 
its  branches,  namely,  his  Holy  Church. 

Q.  How  do  you  prove  this  ? 

A.  In  every  State  and  Society  of  Mankind,  there  are 
and  must  be  Judges  and  Magistrates,  to  maintain  the 
Laws,  and  to  decide  upon  their  meaning.  Accordingly 
Christ,  in  founding  his  Church,  against  which  the  gates 
of  Hell  shall  not  prevail,  (Matt.  xvi.  18,)  commands  us 
all  to  hear  it,  under  pain  of  being  considered  as  heathens 
and  publicans.  (Matt,  xviii.  17.)  In  like  manner,  hav- 
ing sent  his  Apostles  to  teach  all  Nations,  he  promised 
to  remain  with  them  for  ever,  and  to  send  them  the  Spirit 
of  Truth  which  shall  teach  them  all  truth.  John,  xvi.  13% 

Q.  How  does  the  Church  deliver  to  us  the  Sense  of 
Scripture  and  Tradition  ? 

A.  By  the  decisions  of  her  Bishops,  and  especially  of 
her  Chief  Bishop  in  the  Chair  of  St.  Peter ;  by  the  Ser- 
mons and  Instructions  of  her  other  Pastors,  and  by  the 
approved  good  books,  especially  the  Catechisms,  which 
she  puts  into  our  hands. 

Q.  Is  it  not  morally  possible  that  the  doctrines  of  the 
Seven  Sacraments,  the  Real  Presence,  Tran substantia- 
tion, Invoking  the  Saints,  Praying  for  the  Dead,  &c, 


61 

which  Catholics  term  Divine  Traditions,  and  tne  True 
Sense  of  Scripture,  may  have  sprung  from  the  fraud  of 
the  Clergy,  and  the  credulity  of  the  People,  at  soma 
former  period  ? 

A.  No ;  this  is  morally  impossible :  since  these  doc- 
trines have  always  been  held,  both  by  the  Clergy  and 
People  of  the  whole  Catholic  Church,  spread,  as  it  is, 
and  always  has  been,  throughout  the  whole  world.  Be- 
sides this,  these  doctrines  are,  and  always  have  been, 
held  by  the  ancient  heretics,  who  were  separated  from 
the  Catholic  Church  in  the  fifth  and  the  following  cen- 
turies. 

Q.  In  what  does  the  wrord  of  God,  contained  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  properly  consist  ? 

A,  Not  in  the  mere  words  of  the  Sacred  Text:  but  it* 
the  meaning  of  it,  as  the  Holy  Fathers  teach! 

Q.  What  follows  from  this  ? 

A.  That  many  persons  who  are  the  most  assiduous 
in  reading  the  Bible,  yet  do  not  attain  to  the  truths  of 
Religion,  taught  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  are  really  ignorant 
of  the  Word  of  God. 

Q.  What  else  ? 

A.  That  others  who  have  learned  the  essential  truths 
of  Revelation,  as  to  what  they  have  to  believe,  and  what 
they  have  to  practise,  from  their  Pastor's  instructions 
and  their  Catechisms,  have  really  attained  to  the  know- 
ledge  of  God's  Word,  even  though  they  should  never 
have  read  any  portion  of  the  Bible. 

Q.  Is  there  any  obligation  of  reading  the  Scriptures ! 

A.  The  Catholic  Clergy  are  required  to  read  and  to 
pray  out  of  it  every  day.  A  more  strict  obligation  of 
studying  both  the  Written  and  the  Unwritten  Word  of 
God,  lies  on  the  Pastors,  whose  duty  it  is  to  inculcate  it 
to  the  faithful.  But  there  is  no  such  general  obligation 
incumbent  on  the  Laity :  it  being  sufficient  that  they 
listen  to  it  from  their  Pastors. 

Q.  Is  it  lawful  for  the  Laity  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures  ? 


62 

A.  They  may  read  them  in  the  .anguage  in  which 
they  were  written,  as  likewise  in  the  ancient  Vulgate 
Translation,  which  the  Church  vouches  to  be  authentic. 
They  may  also  read  them  in  approved  modern  versions ; 
but  with  due  submission  to  the  interpretation  and  au- 
thority of  the  Church. 

Q.  Have  any  great  evils  ensued  from  an  unrestricted 
reading  of  the  Bible,  in  vulgar  languages,  by  the  un- 
learned and  unstable  ? 

A.  Yes ;  numberless  heresies  and  impieties ;  as  also 
many  rebellions  and  civil  wars. 


(From  Dr.  Challoner's  Catholic  Christian  Instructed.) 

OP    EXORCISMS,    AND     BENEDICTIONS,    OR     BLESSINGS    Of 

CREATURES  IN  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH,  AND  OF 

THE   USE    OF  HOLY  WATER. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  Exorcism  ? 

A.  The  rites  and  prayers  instituted  by  the  Church 
for  the  casting  out  devils,  or  restraining  them  from  hurt- 
ing persons,  disquieting  places,  or  abusing  any  of  God's 
creatures  to  our  harm. 

Q.  Has  Christ  given  his  Church  any  such  power 
over  the  devils? 

A.  Yes,  he  has :  see  St.  Matt.  x.  1. ;  St.  Mark,  iii.  15. ; 
St.  Luke,  ix.  1.;  where  this  power  was  given  to  the 
Apostles ;  and  to  the  sevenfy-two  disciples,  St.  Luke,  x. 
19.;  and  to  other  believers,  St.  Mark,  xvi.  17,  18.  And 
that  this  power  was  not  to  die  with  the  Apostles,  nor  to 
cease  after  the  Apostolic  age,  we  learn  from  the  per- 
petual practice  of  the  Church  and  the  experienced  of 
all  ages. 

Q.  What  is  the  meaning  of  blessing  so  many  things 
in  the  Catholic  Church  ? 

A.  We  bless  Churches,  and  other  places  set  aside  for 
divine  service;  altars,  chalices,  vestments,  &c,  by  way 
of  devoting  them  to  holy  uses.     We  bless  our  meats  and 


63 

other  inanimate  things  which  God  has  given  us  for  our 
use,  that  we  may  use  them  in  moderation,  in  a  manner 
agreeable  to  God's  institution  ;  that  they  may  be  service- 
able to  us,  and  that  the  devil  may  have  no  power  to 
abuse  them  to  our  prejudice.  We  bless  candles,  salt, 
water,  &c.,  by  way  of  begging  of  God  that  such  as 
religiously  use  them  may  obtain  his  blessing,  &c. 

Q.  But  does  it  not  savour  of  superstition  to  attribute 
any  virtue  to  such  inanimate  things  as  blessed  candles, 
holy  water,  Agnus  Dei's,  &c.  ? 

A.  It  is  no  superstition  to  look  for  a  good  effect  from 
the  prayers  of  the  Church  of  God ;  and  it  is  in  virtue 
of  these  prayers  that  we  hope  for  benefit  from  these  things 
when  used  with  faith,  and  daily  experience  shows  that 
our  hopes  are  not  vain. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  Agnus  Dei'e  ? 

A.  Wax  stamped  with  the  image  of  the  Lamb  of  God, 
blessed  by  the  Pope  with  solemn  prayers,  and  anointed 
with  the  holy  chrism. 

Q.  What  warrant  have  you  in  scripture  for  blessing 
inanimate  things? 

A.  1  Tim.  iv.  4,  5,  Every  creature  of  God  is  good, 
and  nothing  to  be  rejected  that  is  received  with  thanks- 
giving :  for  it  is  sanctified  by  the  word  of  God,  and  prayer. 

Q.  Why  does  the  Church  make  use  of  the  sign  of 
the  cross  in  all  her  blessings  and  consecrations  ? 

A.  To  signify  that  all  our  good  must  come  through 
Chrict  crucified. 

Q.  What  do  you  mean  by  Holy  Water  ? 

A.  Water  sanctified  by  the  word  of  God  and  prayer. 

Q.  What  is  the  use  of  Holy  Water? 

A.  It  is  blessed  by  the  Church  in  solemn  prayers,  to 
beg  God's  protection  and  blessing  upon  those  that  use 
it,  and  in  particular  that  they  may  be  defended  from  all 
the  powers  of  darkness. 

Q.  Is  the  use  of  Holy  Water  very  ancient  in  the 
Church  of  God? 


64 

A.  It  is  very  ancient,  since  it  is  mentioned  in  tha 
Apostolic  Constitutions,  1.  8,  c.  29.  And  as  for  the 
English  nation  in  particular,  it  is  visible  from  the  epistles 
of  St.  Gregory  the  Great,  1.  9, epist.  71,  'that we  received 
it  together  with  our  Christianity.' 

Q.  Have  the  holy  fathers  and  ancient  Church  Writers 
left  upon  record  any  miracles  done  by  Holy  Water  ? 

A.  Yes ;  they  have ;  more  particularly  upon  those 
occasions  when  it  has  been  used  against  magical  enchant- 
ments and  the  power  of  the  devil.  See  instances  in  St. 
Epiphanius,  Hser.  30 ;  in  St.  Hierome,  in  the  life  of  St. 
Hilarion  ;  in  Theodoret,  1.  5,  Histor.  Eccl.  c.  21 ;  in  Pal- 
ladius  Histor.  Laus.  c.  6,  &c. 

OF  CHRISTIAN  VIRTUES  AND  GOOD  WORKS. 

Q.^Say  the  three  Theological  Virtues. 

A.  Faith,  hope,  and  charity. 

Q.  What  is  charity  ? 

A.  It  is  a  divine  virtue,  whereby  we  love  God  for 
himself,  and  our  neighbour  for  God. 

Q.  Say  the  four  Cardinal  Virtues. 

A.  Prudence,  justice,  temperance,  and  fortitude. 

Q.  How  many  sorts  of  alms  or  works  of  mercy  ? 

A.  Two :  corporal  and  spiritual. 

Q.  How  many  corporal  works  of  mercy  ? 

A.  Seven — 1.  To  feed  the  hungry.  2.  To  give  drink 
to  the  thirsty.  3.  To  cloth  the  naked.  4.  To  harbour 
pilgrims  or  travellers.  5.  To  ransom  prisoners.  G.  To 
visit  the  sick.     7.  To  bury  the  dead. 

Q.  How  many  spiritual  works  of  mercy  ? 

A.  Seven — 1.  To  give  good  counsel.  2.  To  instruct 
the  ignorant.  3.  To  admonish  sinners.  4.  To  comfort 
the  afflicted.  5.  To  pardon  injuries.  6.  To  bear  wrongs 
patiently.     7.  To  pray  for  the  living  and  the  dead. 

THE  EIGHT  BEATITUDES. 

I.  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 


65 

II.  Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall  possess  the  earth. 

III.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be 
comforted. 

IV.  Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thrist  after  jus- 
tice, for  they  shall  be  filled. 

V.  Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy. 
VI.  Blessed  are  the  clean  of  heart,  for  they  shall  see  G  od. 

VII.  Blessed  are  the  peace  makers,  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God. 

VIII.  Blessed  are  they  that  suffer  persecution  for 
righteousness  sake,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

OP  THE  SINS   AGAINST    THE    HOLY    GHOST  ;    THOSE    THAT 
CRY  FOR  VENGEANCE  J    AND  THE  FOUR  LAST  THINGS. 

Q.  Which  are  the  signs  against  the  Holy  Ghost? 

A.  These  six:  1.  Despair  of  salvation.  2.  Presump- 
tion of  God's  mercy,  without  amending  one's  life.  3.  To 
impugn  the  known  truth,  in  matters  of  faith  and  religion. 
4.  Envy  at  another's  spiritual  good.  5.  Obstinacy  in 
sin  ;  and,  6.  Final  impenitence. 

Q.  Why  are  these  called  sins  against  the  Holy  Ghost? 

A.  Because  they  directly  oppose  and  affront  the  in- 
finite goodness  of  God. 

Q.  Why  does  our  Saviour  say,  that  sins  against  the 
Holy  Ghost  "  shall  not  be  forgiven,  neither  in  this  world, 
nor  in  the  world  to  come.79     Matt.  xii.  22. 

A.  Because  those,  who  are  guilty  of  the  five  first  of 
those  sins,  seldom  or  ever  do  repent  of  such  sins,  and 
are  with  great  difficulty  brought  to  be  sorry  for  them ; 
and  those  that  are  guilty  of  the  last,  or  final  impenitence, 
never  can  repent ;  but  dying  in  mortal  guilt,  and  enemie* 
to  God,  are  incapable  of  forgiveness. 

Q.  What  are  the  sins  that  cry  to  heaven  for  vengeance  \ 

A.  These  four: — 1.  Wilful  murder.  2.  The  sins  of 
Sodom.  3.  Oppression  of  the  poor,  and,  4.  Defrauding 
labourers  of  their  wages. 

Q.  What  are  Jthe  four  last  things  to  be  remembered ! 


66 

A  1.  Death.     2.  Judgment     3.  Heaven.     4.  HelL 
Q.  Is  the  frequent  remembrance  of  these  things  use- 
ful to  the  soul  ? 

A.  It  is  a  most  powerful  preservative  against  sin  ;  for 
the  scripture  says,  "  In  all  thy  works  remember  thy  last 
end ;  and  thou  shalt  never  sin."     Eccles.  vii.  40. 

THE  FIFTEEN  MYSTERIES  OF  THE  ROSARY 

Say  the  Jive  Joyful  Mysteries. 

I.  The  Annunciation  of  our  Lady  when  the  Son  of  GOD  was 
conceived.  2.  The  Visitation  of  St.  Elizabeth.  3.  The  Nativity 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  4.  The  Presentation  of  our  Lord  in 
the  Temple.  5.  The  finding  of  our  Lord  in  the  Temple  among 
ihe  Doctors. 

Say  ihe  Jive  Sorrowful  Mysteries. 

I.  The  prayer  of  our  Lord  in  the  garden.  2.  The  whipping 
him  at  the  pillar.  3.  The  crowning  him  with  a  Crown  of  Thorns. 
4.  His  carrv  ing  of  the  cross  to  Mount  Calvary.  5.  His  crucifixion 
and  death  on  the  Cross. 

Say  the  five  Glorious  Mysteries. 

I.  The  resurrection  of  our  Lord.  2.  His  ascension  into  heaven. 
3.  The  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  4.  The  Assumption  of  our 
Lady  into  Heaven.   5.  Her  Coronation  above  all  angels  and  sainta 


APPENDIX. 


TnE  TEX  COMMANDMENTS  OF  GOD,* 

As  found  in  ihe  XX.  chapter  of  Exodus. 

And  the  Lord  spoke  all  these  words : 

2.  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  brought  thee  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage. 

3.  Thou  shalt  not  have  strange  gods  before  me. 

4.  Thou  shalt  not  make  to  thyself  a  graven  thing, 
nor  the  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above, 
or  in  the  earth  beneath,  nor  of  those  things  that  are  in 
Uie  waters  under  the  earth. 

5.  Thou  shalt  not  adore  them,  no*  serve  them  •  I  am 


67 

tilie  Lord  thy  God,  mighty,  jealous,  visiting  the  iniquity 
of  the  fathers  upon  the  children,  unto  the  third  and 
fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me  : 

6.  And  showing  mercy  unto  tnousands  of  them  that 
love  me,  and  keep  my  commandments. 

7.  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy 
God  in  vain :  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless 
that  shall  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  his  God  in  vain. 

8.  Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  sabbath  day. 

9.  Six  days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  shalt  do  all  thy  works 

10.  But  on  the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of  the  Lord 
thy  God :  thou  shalt  do  no  work  on  it,  thcu,  nor  thy  son, 
nor  thy  daughter,  nor  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy  maid- 
servant, nor  thy  beast,  nor  the  stranger  that  is  within 
ihy  gates. 

1 1.  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth, 
and  the  sea,  and  all  things  that  are  in  them,  and  rested 
on  the  seventh  day:  therefore  the  Lord  blessed  the 
seventh  day  and  sanctified  it. 

12.  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thou  mayst 
be  long-lived  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
will  give  thee. 

13.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

14.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

15.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

16.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour. 

17.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  house  : 
neither  shalt  thou  desire  his  wife,  nor  his  servant,  nor 
his  hand-maid,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  any  thing 
that  is  his, 

HOLY  DAYS  OF  OBLIGATION. 

Independently  of  Sundais,  and  Feasts  which  fall  upon  them 

The   Circumcision  of  our  Lord — The  Epiphany- 

The  Annunciation  of  the  B.  Virgin — The  Ascension 

— Corpus  Christi,  or  the  Feast  of  the  Blessed  Sacra- 


68 

ment — The  Assumption  of  the  B.  Virgin — All  Saints 
— The  Nativity  of  our  Loid. 

FASTING  DAYS. 

1.  The  forty  days  of  Lent. 

2.  The  ember  days  at  the  four  seasons,  being  the 
Wednesday,  Friday,  and  Saturday,  of  the  first  week  of 
Lent ;  of  Whitsun  week,  of  the  third  week  in  September ; 
and  of  the  third  week  in  Advent. 

3.  The  Fridays  of  all  the  four  weeks  of  Advent. 

4.  The  vigils  or  eves  of  Whitsunday ;  of  the  Assump 
tion  of  the  blessed  Virgin  ;  of  all  Saints ;  and  of  Christ- 
mas day. 

N.  B.  Any  fasting  day,  which  falls  on  Sunday,  is  kept 
on  the  preceding  Saturday. 

ABSTINENCE  DAYS. 

All  Fridays  throughout  the  year.  The  abstinence  on 
Saturday  is  dispensed  with,  for  the  faithful  throughout 
the  United  States,  for  the  space  of  twenty  years,  (from 
1843,)  except  when  a  fast  falls  on  Saturday.  Hence, 
the  Saturdays  of  Lent  and  Quartertenses,  and  Vigils 
falling  on  Saturday,  are  still  days  of  abstinence  from 
flesh  meat.  When  Christmas  falls  on  Friday,  abstinence 
is  not  of  precept.  All  the  Sundays  in  Lent  are,  by 
the  general  discipline  of  the  Church,  days  of  abstinence. 
The  use  of  flesh  meat  is  allowed  at  present,  by  dispen- 
sation, in  this  diocess,  on  all  the  Sundays  of  Lent, 
except  Palm-Sunday,  and  once  a  day  on  Monday,  Tues- 
day, and  Thursday  in  each  week,  except  the  Thursday 
after  Ash- Wednesday,  and  also  excepting  Holy-week, 

N.  B.  The  Catholic  church  commands  all  her  children, 
upon  Sundays  and  holidays,  to  be  present  at  the  great 
eucharistic  sacrifice,  which  we  call  the  Mass,  and  to  rest 
from  servile  work  on  those  days,  and  keep  them  holy. 
2dly.  She  commands  them  to  abstain  from  flesh  on  ail 
days  of  fasting  and  abstinence ;  and  on  fasting  days, 


69 

to  eat  but  one  meal.  3dly.  She  commands  them  to  con- 
fess their  sins  to  their  pastors,  at  least  once  a  year. 

4thly.  She  commands  them  to  receive  the  blessed 
sacrament  at  least  once  a  year,  and  that  at  Easter,  viz. 
between  Palm-Sunday  and  Low-Sunday. 

The  fourth  council  of  Later  an,  Can,  21.  ordains,  "  that 
every  one  of  the  faithful  of  both  sexes,  after  they  come 
to  the  years  of  discretion,  shall,  in  private,  faithfully  con- 
fess all  their  sins,  at  least  once  a  year,  to  their  own  pas- 
tor, and  take  care  to  fulfil,  to  the  best  of  their  power, 
the  penance  enjoined  them ;  receiving  reverently,  at  least 
at  Easter,  the  sacrament  of  the  Eucharist,  unless,  per- 
haps, by  the  council  of  their  pastor,  for  some  reasonable 
cause,  they  judge  it  proper  to  abstain  from  it  for  a  time  ; 
otherwise,  let  them  be  excluded  from  the  church  while 
living,  and  when  they  die,  be  deprived  of  Christial  buriaL" 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S  DAILY  EXERCISE   OF  MORNING  AND 
NIGHT   PRAYER. 

Rising  from  bed,  make  the  sign  of  the  cross,  saying, 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  Amen — and  offer  yourself  to  God — then 
dressing  yourself,  modestly  acknowledge  the  goodness 
of  God,  who  gives  you  this  day  to  labour  in  it,  for  tho 
salvation  of  your  soul ;  and  consider  this  day  may  be 
your  last.  When  dressed,  place  yourself  in  the  presence 
of  God,  in  a  respectful  posture,  on  bended  knees,  and 
blessing  yourself,  adore  him  with  the  most  profound 
respect;  give  him  thanks  for  his  benefits  to  you,  especially 
for  having  watched  over  you  during  the  Night ;  and  join 
with  all  the  angels  and  saints,  in  blessing  and  praising 
Lis  holy  name. 

Afterwards  recollect  yourself,  if  you  offended  God 
during  the  night,  and  what  were  the  sins  you  committed 
the  day  before;  and  with  an  humble  and  contrite  heart, 
begging  God's  forgiveness  of  them  and  of  all  past  trans- 
gressions, firmly  resolve  not  to  offend  him  any  more, 


70 

and  earnestly  beg  his  assistance,  to  spend  the  present 
day  in  his  love  and  service,  and  to  guard  yoa  particularly 
against  your  predominant  passions,  and  those  vices, 
temptations,  and  failings,  to  which  you  find  yourself 
most  addicted. 

Then  offering  to  God  your  body  and  soul,  with  all 
your  thoughts,  words,  and  actions ;  and  begging  his  bless- 
ing on  them,  devoutly  recite  the  acts  of  faith,  hope,  and 
charity,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Hail  Mary,  the  Apostles' 
Creed,  and  whatever  other  prayers  you  are  accustomed 
to  say.  You  should  also  pray  for  your  friends  and  ene- 
mies, and  for  the  living  and  dead,  begging  grace,  mercy, 
and  salvation  for  ail  mankind  :  and  conclude  your  morn- 
ing prayer  by  invoking  the  intercession  and  protection 
of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary  ;  and  by  recommending  your- 
self to  your  Angel  Guardian,  and  to  those  particular 
saints,  to  whom  you  have  spiritual  devotion. 

Every  Christian,  who  has  at  heart  his  salvation,  and 
is  desirous  to  please  God,  ought,  if  he  has  time  and  op- 
portunity, to  meditate  every  morning,  or  at  a  convenient 
hour  in  the  day,  on  his  last  end,  or  on  the  passion  of 
Christ,  or  on  some  pious  and  serious  subject :  and  to  hear 
mass  with  all  possible  attention  and  reverence  ;  because 
of  all  religious  duties,  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mass  is  that 
which  gives  most  glory  to  God,  and  is  at  the  same  time 
most  profitable  to  us;  the  reading  of  books  of  true 
Christian  piety  and  sound  morality  is  aA»o  ^r^estly  to  be 
recommended,  as  very  conducive  to  spiritual  improvement. 

And  in  order  to  sanctify  each  day,  and  the  good  works 
of  it,  consider  that  all  things,  even  your  most  secret 
thoughts  and  actions  are  naked  and  open  to  the  eyes  of  God ; 
and  that  every  idle  word,  that  Men  shall  speak,  they  shall 
render  an  account  for  it  in  the  day  of  judgment.  Heb.  iv. 
13,  and  Matt.  xii.  36.  Therefore  walk  with  the  great- 
est circumspection  in  the  presence  of  God,  frequently 
in  the  day  thinking  of  him,  raising  your  heart  to  him, 
and  offering  yourself  and  actions,  to  his  honour  and  glory 


71 

NIGHT    PRAYER. 

If  it  be  so  necessary  a  duty  to  begin  the  day  I  y  prayer,  il 
is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  conclude  it  also  by  prayer , 
the  graces  received  during  the  day,  and  special  protection 
you  stand  in  need  of  against  the  dangers  of  the  night,  should 
engage  you,  to  humble  yourself  before  God  in  prayer 
evevy  night,  which  necessary  duty  is  never  to  be  omit- 
ted ;  and  should  be  always  most  religiously  performed, 
Bind  in  the  same  manner,  and  with  the  same  dispositions, 
as  in  the  morning. 

Every  night,  therefore,  before  you  go  to  bed,  place 
yourself  on  your  knees  in  the  presence  of  God ;  and 
begging  his  blessing,  by  making  the  sign  of  the  cross  on 
yourself,  adore  his  infinite  majesty ;  return  him  thanks 
for  all  his  mercies  to  you,  especially  for  his  gracious 
protection  over  you  during  the  day  ;  and  invite  the  whole 
court  of  heaven  and  all  the  creatures  of  God,  to  bless 
his  goodness,  and  to  praise  his  holy  name. 

Then  consider  attentively,  how  you  spent  the  day ; 
and  if  in  the  course  of  it  you  diligently  complied  with 
your  duty  in  every  respect :  you  are  therefore  to  examine 
yourself  carefully  on  your  thoughts,  words,  actions,  and 
omissions :  and  particularly  on  the  obligations  of  your 
state  in  life,  and  on  those  vices,  passions,  and  evil  habits, 
to  which  you  are  most  addicted. 

When  you  have  brought  to  mind  all  the  sins  and  omis- 
sions of  the  day,  with  an  humble  and  contrite  heart  im- 
plore forgiveness  of  them,  and  of  all  your  transgressions ; 
and  firmly  resolve,  with  God's  assistance,  not  to  offend 
him  any  more ;  and  cautiously  to  avoid  every  occasion 
of  sin.  Then  oflei  ing  yourself  to  God,  earnestly  beseech 
him  to  enable  you  to  practise  those  particular  virtues  and 
good  works,  which  are  most  necessary  to  you,  and  to 
preserve  you  from  sin,  and  all  dangers  during  the  night; 
devoutly  recite  the  acts  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity,  and 
the  other  pra}Ters  as  in  the  morning,  or  any  ottzr  terra 
of  prayer  you  are  accustomed  to  say  at  night 


72 

The  examination  of  conscience  is  strongly  recom- 
mended as  a  very  important  Christian  duty,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  profitable  and  effectual  means  to  avoii  sin, 
and  to  acquire  virtue;  wherefore  all  persons  wlr;  batrt 
at  heart  their  salvation,  and  are  truly  desirous  to  please 
God,  will  constantly  and  diligently  attend  to  the  exan> 
ination  of  conscience  every  night. 

Prayer  said  in  common,  that  is,  by  many  together,  is 
certainly  more  acceptable  to  God,  and  more  beneficial, 
than  prayer  which  is  offered  in  private  by  one  individual 
alone;  and  on  this  principal  is  chiefly  grounded  the  pious 
and  edifying  practice  in  many  families,  of  joining  together 
in  prayer  every  night ;  and  it  is  most  earnestly  to  be 
wished,  that  every  Catholic  family  did  adopt  it. 

The  many  signal  blessings  which  God  has  bestowed 
on  those  families  in  which  prayers  are  regularly  said  in 
common,  should  engage  every  head  of  a  family  to  intro- 
duce and  establish  so  laudable  a  custom  ;  particularly  at 
night,  when  all  in  the  family  may  be  assembled  with 
greater  convenience.  Wliere  there  are  two  or  three  gatli- 
ered  together  in  my  name,  says  Christ,  there  am  I  in  the 
midst  of  them.     Matt  xviii.  20. 


A  PRAYER  TO  OUR  ANGEL  GUARDIAN. 

O  Holy  Angel !  to  whose  care  God,  in  his  mercy, 
hath  committed  me  ;  thou  who  assistest  me  in  my  wants, 
who  consolest  me  in  my  afflictions,  who  supportest  me 
when  dejected,  and  who  constantly  obtainest  for  mo 
new  favours;  I  return  thee  now  most  sincere  and  humble 
thanks:  and  I  conjure  thee,  O  amiable  Guide!  to  con- 
tinue still  thy  care  ;  to  defend  me  against  my  enemies; 
to  remove  from  me  the  occasions  of  sin,  to  obtain  for 
me  a  docility  to  thy  holy  inspirations  ;  to  protect  me,  in 
particular,  at  the  hour  of  my  death;  and  then  conduot 
me  to  the  mansions  of  eternal  repose.     Amen. 


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